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

But as the synopsis suggests, Matt’s greatest obstacle is his lifelong love of the movies he's now been tasked to ruin. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Individual episode synopsis are yet to be revealed. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025

When Fox provided an official Season 4 synopsis in February, the character was notably not mentioned in descriptions of upcoming episodes. —Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 25 Mar. 2025

The manuscript comprises 70 pages, including scene synopses and dialogue. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 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)