Synopsis Meaning
/sɪˈnɒpsɪs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table; an abridgment or condensation of a work.
nounA reference work containing brief articles that taken together give an overview of an entire field.
Sentence Examples
I read a synopsis of the film.
Why didn't you provide a synopsis?
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
I read a short ____ of the lengthy novel to understand its main plot points.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I read a short ____ of the novel to get an idea of the main plot before I decided to buy the book today.
Word Origin & History
From Late Latin synopsis, itself from Ancient Greek σύνοψις (súnopsis), from σύν (sún, “with or whole”) + ὄψις (ópsis, “view”) meaning whole view.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The following Synopsis is intended as a monograph of those species of the order hitherto discovered…"
— 1869, Edward Drinker Cope, Synopsis of the Extinct Batrachia and Reptilia of North America. Part I.:
"In the following synopsis of the history of the United States the principal events are briefly mentioned…"
— 1914, Chandler B. Beach, Frank Morton McMurry (eds.), The New Student’s Reference Work:
"A Synopsis, on the other hand, should be short enough and general enough so that a person who has not yet begun to study the language can follow it…"
— 1971, Earl W. Stevick, Adapting and Writing Language Lessons/Appendix M:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
I read a short ____ of the lengthy novel to understand its main plot points.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I read a short ____ of the novel to get an idea of the main plot before I decided to buy the book today.