summary

1 of 2

adjective

sum·​ma·​ry ˈsə-mə-rē 

 also  ˈsəm-rē,

 or  -ˌmer-ē

1

: comprehensive

especially : covering the main points succinctly

2

a

: done without delay or formality : quickly executed

a summary dismissal

b

: of, relating to, or using a summary proceeding

a summary trial

summarily

(ˌ)sə-ˈmer-ə-lē 

adverb

summary

2 of 2

noun

sum·​ma·​ry ˈsə-mə-rē 

 also  ˈsəm-rē

plural summaries

: an abstract, abridgment, or compendium especially of a preceding discourse

Synonyms

Adjective

• aphoristic
• apothegmatic
• brief
• capsule
• compact
• compendious
• concise
• crisp
• curt
• elliptical
• elliptic
• epigrammatic
• laconic
• monosyllabic
• pithy
• sententious
• succinct
• telegraphic
• terse
• thumbnail

Noun

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

Choose the Right Synonym for summary

concise, terse, succinct, laconic, summary, pithy, compendious mean very brief in statement or expression.

concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

Examples of summary in a Sentence

Adjective

a summary account of the accident

obviously a one-volume encyclopedia can offer only a very summary account of the American Civil War

Noun

He concluded the report with a brief summary.

They gave a summary of their progress in building the bridge.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

It was delivered to the Task Force five days past the deadline, and contained less than four and half pages, more than half of which consisted of summary narratives. —Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024

The hermit kingdom is known for summary executions, abducting foreign citizens, and for hacking entertainment giant Sony. —Sarah E. Mendelson, Foreign Affairs, 28 May 2015

Noun

The Federal Reserve’s quarterly summary of economic projections released Wednesday revealed the median central banker forecast calls for 2.5% core PCE inflation by the end of next year, up from the 2.2% projected in September and still noticeably above the Fed’s 2% goal. —Derek Saul, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Typically, the clerk only has to read a short summary of a bill, usually no longer than a few sentences. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin summarius, from Latin summa sum

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1509, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing summary

• in summary
• summary judgment
• summary proceeding

Kids Definition

summary

1 of 2 adjective

sum·​ma·​ry ˈsəm-ə-rē 

1

: expressing or covering the main points briefly : concise

a summary account

2

: done without delay or formality : quickly carried out

a summary dismissal

summarily

(ˌ)sə-ˈmer-ə-lē

adverb

summary

2 of 2 noun

plural summaries

: a short statement of the main points (as in a book or report)

Legal Definition

summary

adjective

sum·​ma·​ry ˈsə-mə-rē 

: done immediately, concisely, and without usual formal procedures

especially : used in or done by summary proceeding compare plenary

summarily

sə-ˈmer-ə-lē 

adverb