# synopsis

/sɪˈnɑpsɪs/ (US) · /sɪnˈɒpsɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/synopsis
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a summary of a work

noun · CEFR B2

a short description of the main events or ideas in a book, film, or play.

For teachers: a brief summary of the major points of a written work, film, or presentation, providing an overview of the plot or argument.

- Before buying the book, I read the synopsis on the back cover to see if I liked the story.
- The screenwriter submitted a three-page synopsis to the studio, detailing the narrative arc and character development of the proposed series.

### 2. an overview of a field

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a book or article that gives a quick overview of a whole subject.

For teachers: a reference work or survey providing a condensed overview of an entire field of study or body of knowledge.

- The professor provided a synopsis of modern physics for the new students.
- This volume serves as a comprehensive synopsis of medieval history, condensing centuries of political change into a single accessible reference.

### 3. a prayer book

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a special book of prayers used by people in some Christian churches.

For teachers: a liturgical book containing prayers and services, specifically one intended for use by the laity in the Orthodox Church.

- He carried his leather-bound synopsis to the morning service.
- The museum's collection includes a rare eighteenth-century synopsis, notable for its intricate woodcut illustrations of the liturgical calendar.

## Examples

- Please read the synopsis before watching the movie.
- The author sent a three-page synopsis of her new novel to several literary agents.
- While the synopsis provides a clear overview of the plot's trajectory, it fails to capture the lyrical prose and thematic depth that define the complete work.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.