summary

/ˈsʌm.ə.ri/
nounIntermediate
formal

a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form

The summary provided a clear overview of the research findings.

The summary effectively condensed the research results into key points.

He wrote a summary of the novel for his book club.

He created a condensed version of the novel's plot and themes for discussion.

💡

Often used in academic, business, or legal contexts to present key information succinctly.

Collocations

executive summarya brief overview of a document's key points, often at the beginningsummary judgmenta court decision made without a full trial, based on the facts presented

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

in summaryphrase
to conclude or restate the main points
summarizeverb
to make a summary of something

💡Pro Tip

Effective Summarizing

When writing a summary, focus on the main ideas and key details, omitting minor or repetitive information.

Gold Rule

Objective Tone

A good summary should maintain an objective tone, avoiding personal opinions or interpretations.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'summarie,' from Old French 'sommaire,' from Latin 'summarius,' meaning 'of the sum or total,' from 'summa' (sum).

📝Usage Notes

A summary should be concise and objective, focusing on the most important information. It is commonly used in academic writing, business reports, and legal documents.

Word Breakdown

sum
total or whole
root
+
-ary
relating to
suffix
English Dictionary