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

As the caller describes in a short synopsis, his story follows an umbrella named Bella who loves the rain, while her family hates it. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival Feature Films are as follows, with all synopses and other information provided by the festival. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024

Thankfully, an official synopsis gives us some helpful context for the footage. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024

Cillian Murphy will be back for 28 Years Later but 'in a surprising way,' says Sony Pictures chairman Sony released a new plot synopsis that reveals even more story details. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

synopsis

noun

syn·​op·​sis sə-ˈnäp-səs 

plural synopses -ˈnäp-ˌsēz 

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