synopsis

[ si-nop-sis ]

noun

, plural syn·op·ses [si-, nop, -seez].

1. a brief or condensed statement giving a general view of some subject.
2. a compendium of heads or short paragraphs giving a view of the whole.
3. a brief summary of the plot of a novel, motion picture, play, etc.

synopsis

/ sɪˈnɒpsɪs /

noun

1. a condensation or brief review of a subject; summary

Word History and Origins

Origin of synopsis¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin, from Greek sýnopsis, equivalent to syn- syn- + op- (suppletive stem of horân “to see”; autopsy ) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of synopsis¹

C17: via Late Latin from Greek sunopsis, from syn- + opsis view

Synonym Study

See summary.

Example Sentences

The first of the movie's "chapters" is more or less what you'd expect from the synopsis - but the rest of the film most definitely is not.

From BBC

“Megalopolis” isn’t well-served by synopses that call it a “city poem” or yoke its wild ambitions to ancient Rome’s power struggles or municipal intrigue.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a blunt synopsis from the Ukrainian commander who goes by the call-sign “Storm”.

From BBC

DWP officials say it’s not a one-sided issue and, at the request of The Times, furnished a synopsis of the dozen outages this year.

From Los Angeles Times

“Everyone was talking about ‘Slave Play,’ but no one would give any sort of synopsis — everyone was just, ‘Go see it,’” Owusu recalls.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• recap
• rundown