synopsis

noun

syn·​op·​sis sə-ˈnäp-səs 

plural synopses sə-ˈnäp-ˌsēz 

1

: a condensed statement or outline (as of a narrative or treatise) : abstract

2

: the abbreviated conjugation of a verb in one person only

Synonyms of synopsis

• summary

Examples of synopsis in a Sentence

I don't need to know every little plot twist; just give me a synopsis of the movie.

Recent Examples on the Web

An official plot synopsis has yet to be released, but season 3 ended with several threats still looming, from the snaky Agent Musso (Kevin Pollak) to the bloodthirsty Renzetti family and Kansas City crime boss Bill Bevilaqua (Frank Grillo). — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

This file has a brief synopsis of the draft classes, but there are individual team files for all 32 clubs linked in this article for a more detailed breakdown of each draft haul. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 27 June 2026

Johnny finds himself in ancient Rome, tasked with stopping a villainous time traveler determined to alter the course of history, per the book's synopsis. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Plot synopsis House of the Dragon attempts to condense and dramatize the conflicting accounts presented in Fire & Blood—stitched together from testimonies and court chronicles—into a single authoritative narrative. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, comprehensive view, from synopsesthai to be going to see together, from syn- + opsesthai to be going to see — more at optic

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for synopsis

• arabidopsis

Kids Definition

synopsis

noun

syn·​op·​sis sə-ˈnäp-səs 

plural synopses -ˈnäp-ˌsēz 

: a brief statement or outline (as of a story)