What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
summary
Example
Can you give me a summary of the article you read? [summary: noun]
Example
She summarized the main points of her presentation in a few sentences. [summarized: verb]
synopsis
Example
The movie trailer gave a synopsis of the plot. [synopsis: noun]
Example
He wrote a synopsis of the novel for his book club. [synopsis: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Summary is more commonly used than synopsis in everyday language and is a more general term that can be applied to a variety of contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between summary and synopsis?
Both summary and synopsis are relatively formal words that are commonly used in academic and professional settings. However, synopsis may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with literary and entertainment contexts.
