Gist (Noun)
Meaning 1
The central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The professor asked her students to summarize the gist of the novel they had read for homework that night, to ensure they understood its main message.
- The gist of the speech was clear to everyone in the audience, even if they missed some of the supporting details.
- After listening to the politician's long and rambling speech, it was difficult to discern the gist of what she was trying to say.
- The teacher struggled to convey the gist of the poem to her class of rowdy and easily distracted students.
- By the time the author finished explaining the gist of her lecture, the crowd had dissipated and only a handful of people remained.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story".
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The gist of the professor's speech was to encourage the students to pursue their passions.
- She tried to get to the gist of the poem, but the language was too obscure.
- The gist of the rumor was that the company would be downsizing by the end of the year.
- The gist of the play was a commentary on the human condition, despite its absurd plot.
- The lawyer's job was to extract the gist of the plaintiff's testimony and present it to the jury.
Synonyms
- Nitty-gritty
- Inwardness
- Center
- Substance
- Heart
- Centre
- Meat
- Marrow
- Pith
- Heart And Soul
- Kernel
- Nub
- Sum
- Essence
- Core