What does synopsis mean?

Pronunciation

/sɪˈnɒpsɪs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A brief summary or outline of the plot, main points, or key events of a text, film, or other narrative work.

Examples

• The movie’s synopsis on the back of the DVD case caught my attention.
• The teacher asked the students to write a synopsis of the novel for their assignment.

Synonyms

• Summary
• Outline
• Abstract

Antonyms

• Verbatim
• Detail

Additional Information

A synopsis is often used to provide a concise overview of a longer work, helping readers or viewers understand the main ideas or plot without having to read or watch the entire piece. This can be especially useful for academics, researchers, or professionals who need to quickly grasp the essence of a complex text or document. In creative writing, a synopsis can be a helpful tool for authors to organize their ideas and structure their narrative.

In addition to its use in literary and academic contexts, a synopsis can also be found in marketing and advertising, where it is used to entice audiences and promote a product or service. For example, a movie trailer might include a brief synopsis of the plot to grab viewers’ attention.

Etymology

The word “synopsis” comes from the Greek words “σύν” (sun), meaning “together”, and “ὄψις” (opsis), meaning “view” or “sight”. In English, the term was first used in the 16th century to describe a brief summary or overview.

Usage Notes

A synopsis is typically written in the present tense and should provide a clear, concise overview of the main points or plot. Avoid including too much detail or minor characters, and focus on capturing the essence of the work.

Cultural References

The concept of a synopsis has been parodied in popular culture, such as in movies and TV shows like “The Simpsons” and “South Park”, where characters create absurd or humorous summaries of complex works.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“In a nutshell” is a common idiomatic expression that means to provide a brief summary or synopsis of something.

Related Words or Phrases

• Abstract
• Summary
• Outline

Collocations

• movie synopsis
• book synopsis
• project synopsis

Frequency of Use

The term “synopsis” is commonly used in academic and literary contexts, but its frequency of use has increased in recent years due to the rise of online content and marketing materials.

Common Misspellings

• sinapsis
• synopis