synopsis
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a short description of the main events or ideas in a book, film, or play.
a brief summary of the major points of a written work, film, or presentation, providing an overview of the plot or argument.
Simple“Before buying the book, I read the synopsis on the back cover to see if I liked the story.”
In context“The screenwriter submitted a three-page synopsis to the studio, detailing the narrative arc and character development of the proposed series.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
a book or article that gives a quick overview of a whole subject.
a reference work or survey providing a condensed overview of an entire field of study or body of knowledge.
Simple“The professor provided a synopsis of modern physics for the new students.”
In context“This volume serves as a comprehensive synopsis of medieval history, condensing centuries of political change into a single accessible reference.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
a special book of prayers used by people in some Christian churches.
a liturgical book containing prayers and services, specifically one intended for use by the laity in the Orthodox Church.
Simple“He carried his leather-bound synopsis to the morning service.”
In context“The museum's collection includes a rare eighteenth-century synopsis, notable for its intricate woodcut illustrations of the liturgical calendar.”
Synonymsprayer bookliturgy
From Late Latin synopsis, itself from Ancient Greek σύνοψις (súnopsis), from σύν (sún, “with or whole”) + ὄψις (ópsis, “view”) meaning whole view.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.