synoptic

[ si-nop-tik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or constituting a synopsis; affording or taking a general view of the principal parts of a subject.
2. (often initial capital letter) taking a common view: used chiefly in reference to the first three Gospels synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, from their similarity in content, order, and statement.
3. (often initial capital letter) pertaining to the synoptic Gospels.

synoptic

/ sɪˈnɒptɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a synopsis
2. often capital Bible
   1. (of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke) presenting the narrative of Christ's life, ministry, etc from a point of view held in common by all three, and with close similarities in content, order, etc
   2. of, relating to, or characterizing these three Gospels
3. meteorol showing or concerned with the distribution of meteorological conditions over a wide area at a given time

   a synoptic chart

noun

1. often capital Bible
   1. any of the three synoptic Gospels
   2. any of the authors of these three Gospels

Derived Forms

• synˈoptist, noun
• synˈoptically, adverb

Other Words From

• syn·opti·cal·ly adverb
• nonsyn·optic adjective noun
• nonsyn·opti·cal adjective
• nonsyn·opti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of synoptic¹

1755–65; < Greek synoptikós, equivalent to synop- ( synopsis ) + -tikos -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of synoptic¹

C18: from Greek sunoptikos, from synopsis

Example Sentences

That’s because, by the time a large-scale synoptic system makes its way across the country and evolves over time, it typically reaches the Southeast right during those evening hours.

From Scientific American

Tornado outbreaks are associated with a large-scale synoptic system.

From The Verge

What unites these writers is their disregard for traditional disciplinary boundaries and a determination to reach for synoptic knowledge of stupefyingly complex subjects.

From New York Times

Several days out, it’s possible to begin keying in on the positions of synoptic, or larger-scale, features that are important to the forecast.

From Washington Post

Maybe a more synoptic way of putting it is that we seem to evince less and less interest in citizenship and more and more interest in consumerism.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• all-inclusive
• broad
• complete
• encyclopedic
• exhaustive
• extensive
• far-reaching
• full
• global
• overall
• sweeping
• thorough