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

• abstract
• breviary
• brief
• capsule
• conspectus
• digest
• encapsulation
• epitome
• inventory
• outline
• précis
• recap
• recapitulation
• résumé
• resume
• resumé
• roundup
• run-through
• rundown
• sum
• sum-up
• summa
• summarization
• summary
• summing-up
• wrap-up

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

The full synopsis reads: Jean (James), a renowned performance artist at the height of her career, has always chosen ambition over family. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 May 2025

Scroll down to see the full release timings, as well as episode title and plot synopsis. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

The official synopsis makes no reference to these events. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025

According to a synopsis, season three picks up with Belly ending her junior year of college, looking ahead to another summer in her favorite summer spot cousins with her boyfriend Jeremiah. —Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025

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
• phalaenopsis

Kids Definition

synopsis

noun

syn·​op·​sis sə-ˈnäp-səs 

plural synopses -ˈnäp-ˌsēz 

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