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summary
/ˈsʌm.ə.ri/
a brief statement of the main points
She read the summary of the report before the meeting.
She read a concise overview of the report's key points before the meeting.
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
Related Phrases
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
suffixEnglish Dictionary