pre
mise
Plural
premises
1
a theory or statement that acts as the foundation of an argument
- The entire debate was based on the premise that economic growth benefits all members of society.
- Her research paper challenges the premise that climate change is primarily caused by human activity.
- The film's plot relies on the premise that time travel is possible and can alter past events.
- His argument falls apart if the initial premise about the effectiveness of the policy is proven false.
- The legal case was built on the premise that the defendant had breached the contract intentionally.
Synonyms:
2
the central idea or foundation of a story, encompassing its main concept, conflict, characters, setting, and overall tone or genre
A premise is the core idea or concept that forms the foundation of a story. It includes the central conflict, main characters, setting, and the general tone or genre of the narrative. Essentially, it is the basic outline that guides the development of the story and helps shape how it unfolds. For example, if a story's premise is about a detective solving a mysterious crime in a futuristic city, this basic idea establishes the framework and direction for the plot. It provides the foundation from which the entire narrative develops.
- The movie's premise revolves around time travel and its consequences.
- Her novel has a unique premise that combines mystery and science fiction.
- The show's premise explores the challenges of a small-town community.
- The book's premise is built around a rivalry between two families.
- A strong premise helps guide the plot and character development.