What’s the plural of “synopsis”?
A synopsis refers to “a condensed statement or outline (as of a narrative or treatise) : an abstract” (Merriam-Webster, synopsis). In conversation, you might say, ‘I don’t need to know each plot twist; just give me a synopsis of the movie.’
What’s the correct plural form of synopsis?
Synopses, pronounced like sin-ops-ease, is the plural of synopsis (singular noun). Synopses does end in –es as a plural noun; however, it is still an irregular noun form in English. Regular nouns attach an -es/-s to show a plural: books, phones, dogs and cats simply add the s to show more than one.
| singular | plural |
| crisis | crises |
| diagnosis | diagnoses |
| oasis | oases |
| synopsis | synopses |
| thesis | theses |
With words like hypothesis, thesis, analysis, crisis, and oasis, (the list goes on) the plural is not formed through the addition of an –es. With these Greek nouns (which still use their original Greek noun forms), the –es replaces the singular noun’s ending of –is, and therefore changes the word’s pronunciation and spelling more dramatically as a plural noun.
“Synopsis” (singular) in sentences
For each title there is a brief synopsis of the book.
I don’t need to know every little plot twist; just give me a synopsis of the movie.
The programme gives a brief synopsis of the plot.
My teacher said my five-page digest of the book was entirely too long to be a synopsis.
The movie synopsis summed up the plot of the film in a single paragraph.
“Synopses” (plural) in sentences
With the advent of the Internet, you can now find movie plot synopses all over the place.
Warning – The following episode synopses will contain some spoilers.
Once you’re sure it’s indeed movie plot synopses you’re looking for, and not reviews, they can be found all over the Internet.
The changes may be appreciated by comparing the systematic synopses at the end of this article with the classification adopted in 1877 in the 9th edition of the Ency.
In this magazine, you’ll read up-to-date interviews, daily soap recaps and synopses, soap quizzes and more.
Synonyms of synopsis
- overview
- abstract
- premise
- summary
- briefing
- summation
- recap
- rundown
- run through
- quick version
What’s the difference between they’re, their, and there?
Sources
- “Synopsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synopsis. Accessed 11 Mar. 2023.
- Harper Douglas, “Etymology of synopsis,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed March 11, 2023, https://www.etymonline.com/word/synopsis.
