synopsis

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'synopsis' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe a brief overview of something, such as a book, film, or play. Example sentence: "The synopsis of the book briefly summarized the main characters and their motivations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The original synopsis for Pride references the "London-based group of gay and lesbian activists" that supported the miners, but the US packaging mentions only "London-based activists" in its version, according to Pink News.

The Guardian - Film

A newly released synopsis reads as follows: It is 1944 and World War II is reaching its climax.

The Guardian - Film

It is the first piece I have discovered in the UK press to provide a realistic synopsis of the background to current events.

The Guardian

This book will be released next week.. Ebola: The Natural and Human History of a Deadly Virus by David Quammen [128 pages, W. W. Norton & Company; 2014; Amazon UK paperback/audio CD/Kindle UK; Amazon US paperback/audio download/audio CD/Kindle] Publisher's synopsis: In 1976 a deadly virus emerged from the Congo forest.

The Guardian

The writing of those five chapters and synopsis was a long and painful process, and the mistake I made was to write what I thought was expected of me - the end result being that it came across as unauthentic (or so I was told).

The Guardian - Film

The Last Unicorn: A Search for One of Earth's Rarest Creatures by William deBuys [368 pages, Little, Brown US; 2015; Guardian Bookshop; Amazon UK hardcover/paperback/Kindle UK; Amazon US hardcover/paperback/audio download/Kindle] Publisher's synopsis: An award-winning author's stirring quest to find and understand an elusive and exceptionally rare species in the heart of Southeast Asia's jungles.

The Guardian

The Chimp and the River -- How AIDS Emerged from an African Forest by David Quammen [176 pages, W. W. Norton & Company; 2015; Amazon UK paperback; Amazon US paperback/Kindle] Publisher's synopsis: The real story of AIDS how it originated with a virus in a chimpanzee, jumped to one human, and then infected more than 60 million people is very different from what most of us think we know.

The Guardian

As Liz, she plays a complex person summed up in the synopsis as a 'damaged and dangerous mind'.

The Guardian - Film

A synopsis?

The Guardian - Film

These government-mandated loans amount to almost two-thirds of all the junk mortgages in the system, and their delinquency rates are nine to fifteen times greater than equivalent rates on prime mortgages.Perhaps my colleague can point out the error in Mr Wallison's learned synopsis, in which the CRA and the GSEs appear to play more than "largely irrelevant" or "also-ran" roles.

The Economist

An accurate synopsis of Mr Eco's novel, it might be said.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a "synopsis", focus on the core elements of the story or topic, omitting unnecessary details to keep it concise and engaging.

Common error

Avoid including excessive details in your "synopsis". A common mistake is trying to summarize every plot point, which can make the "synopsis" too long and lose the reader's interest. Stick to the most critical information.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "synopsis" is as a noun. It typically refers to a brief summary or overview of something, such as a book, film, or event. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "synopsis" functions as a noun used to describe a brief summary or overview. According to Ludwig AI, the usage is grammatically correct and very common across a variety of sources, predominantly in news, encyclopedias and scientific publications. When writing a "synopsis", it's important to focus on the core elements and avoid unnecessary details. Semantically related terms include "summary", "outline", and "abstract". As with most of its recommendations, Ludwig AI’s analysis aligns with standard language conventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Summary

This is a shorter, more direct term that also means a brief account of the main points of something.

Outline

Refers to the main points or structure of a subject, often used as a plan or guide.

Abstract

Commonly used in academic and scientific contexts, it denotes a brief summary of a research article or paper.

Precis

A concise summary that captures the essence of a longer work.

Overview

Offers a general description or survey of a topic, often highlighting the key aspects.

Brief

Implies a short and concise summary or statement.

Compendium

A collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject.

Digest

A condensed version of a text or body of information.

Abridgment

A shortened version of a book, play, or piece of music.

Conspectus

A comprehensive survey or summary of a subject.

FAQs

How to use "synopsis" in a sentence?

You can use "synopsis" to refer to a brief summary of something. For example, "The publisher requested a detailed synopsis of the novel" or "The article provides a synopsis of the main findings."

What can I say instead of "synopsis"?

You can use alternatives like "summary", "outline", or "abstract", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "synopsis" and "summary"?

"Synopsis" and "summary" are often used interchangeably, but a "synopsis" may imply a slightly more detailed or comprehensive overview than a simple "summary".

How long should a "synopsis" be?

The length of a "synopsis" depends on its purpose, but it typically ranges from a few sentences to a few paragraphs. It should be concise enough to provide a clear overview without getting bogged down in details.