What does "summary" mean?
An abstract or a condensed presentation of the substance of a body of material.
Summary
/ˈsʌməɹi/ adj, name, noun
adj, name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An abstract or a condensed presentation of the substance of a body of material.
- Grammar: summary is listed as adj, name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abbreviated, abbreviation, abridged, abridged.
- Useful contrasts: comparative study, descriptive details, detailed life history.
- Usage evidence: The following is a summary of the President's speech.
How to use "summary"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "summary" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "summary" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "summary" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "summary" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "summary" is acting as adj, name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abbreviated" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "summary", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An abstract or a condensed presentation of the substance of a body of material.
"I'd forgotten what happened in the first Harry Potter book so I read a summary of the narrative before starting the second one."
- 2 a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Concise, brief, or presented in a condensed form; presenting information in such a form.
"Near-synonym: abstractive"
- 2 Performed speedily, without formal ceremony, and (especially) without regard to legality.
"Near-synonym: extrajudicial"
- 3 Performed by omitting the procedures of a full trial, but within a legally valid framework.
"The matter was brought to a close by summary dismissal of the cases."
Adjective
- 1 briefly giving the gist of something wordnet
- 2 performed speedily and without formality wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Antonyms
comparative studydescriptive detailsdetailed life historydetailed treatise
Example
"The following is a summary of the President's speech."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "summary"?
Common synonyms include: abbreviated, abbreviation, abridged, abridged, abridgement, abridgements.
How do you use "summary" in a sentence?
The following is a summary of the President's speech.
How do you pronounce "summary"?
Pronounced /ˈsʌməɹi/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English summary, from Medieval Latin summārius, from Latin summa (“total, sum”) + -ārius (suffix forming adjectives).
Etymology 2
From Medieval Latin summārium, from Latin summa (“total, sum”) + -ārium (suffix forming nouns of purpose).