summary
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a short statement that gives the main points of something longer, like a book or a meeting.
n.a brief statement or account of the main points of something. Countable in general usage.
Simple“At the end of the chapter, there is a short summary of the main events.”
In context“The executive summary provided a concise overview of the project's financial projections without delving into the technical minutiae of the engineering phase.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.short and containing only the most important information.
adj.brief or condensed in form; presenting the substance of a matter in a concise manner.
Simple“The reporter gave a summary account of the day's events in the city.”
In context“The professor requested a summary report of the findings, emphasizing that brevity was more important than exhaustive detail for this initial review.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
adj.done immediately and quickly, often without following the usual rules or ceremonies.
adj.performed speedily and without formal ceremony; often implies a lack of due process or deliberation.
Simple“The manager's summary dismissal of the employee's ideas upset the whole team.”
In context“The summary execution of the prisoners without a trial was condemned by international human rights organizations as a violation of global law.”
Antonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
adj.describes a legal process that happens quickly without a full, long trial.
adj.relating to or denoting legal proceedings conducted without the traditional requirement of a full jury trial.
Simple“The judge issued a summary judgment because the facts of the case were very clear.”
In context“The defence moved for a summary judgment, arguing that the prosecution had failed to provide any evidence that could legally sustain a conviction.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'summary judgment'.
Usage give summary · present summary · provide summary
From Middle English summary, from Medieval Latin summārius, from Latin summa (“total, sum”) + -ārius (suffix forming adjectives).
From Medieval Latin summārium, from Latin summa (“total, sum”) + -ārium (suffix forming nouns of purpose).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.