Another Word For Gist

Meaning

The word "gist" refers to the main idea, essence, or crucial point of something, such as a conversation, text, or argument. It captures the primary meaning or the core message without getting bogged down by details or peripheral elements.

Synonyms

• Essence
• Main idea
• Substance
• Core
• Crux
• Summary
• Heart

Antonyms

• Detail
• Complex
• Factual
• Circumstance
• Extravagance

Etymology

The word "gist" comes from the Middle English term "gist" (circa 14th century), derived from the Old French word "giste," meaning "to be situated" or "to lie down." Its roots can be traced back to the Latin "jacere," which means "to throw" or "to lie."

Examples

1. "To understand the novel better, I focused on the gist of each chapter rather than every detail."
2. "During the meeting, she summarized the gist of our project proposal to keep everyone informed."
3. "The professor encouraged us to capture the gist of the lecture in our notes."
4. “Even though the article was long, the gist of the author's argument was compelling and easy to grasp.”