gist
29 synonyms for gist, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The main point or essential meaning of something longer or more complicated.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
bowels
brass tacks
crux
gravamen
heart and soul
heartstring
heartstrings
inwardness
moral of the story
nitty-gritty
nub
nuts and bolts
pith
punctum saliens
quintessence
How to use gist
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
get the gist
the gist of it
catch the gist
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman legal French gist ("[the case] lies/rests"), from Old French gesir ("to lie"), ultimately from Latin iacere ("to lie down").
Full origin of gist →Frequently asked questions
What does “gist” mean?
The word “gist” means the main point or essential meaning of something longer or more complicated. In plain terms, the core idea or main point of something, stripped of the details.
How do you pronounce “gist”?
“Gist” is pronounced jihst (/d͡ʒɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “gist” in a sentence?
Here is “gist” used in a sentence: “I didn't catch every word, but I got the gist of the argument.”
What is another word for “gist”?
Words with a similar meaning to “gist” include bowels, sum, brass tacks, core, crux and essence.
What part of speech is “gist”?
“Gist” is a noun.
Where does the word “gist” come from?
The word “gist” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman legal French gist ("[the case] lies/rests"), from Old French gesir ("to lie"), ultimately from Latin iacere ("to lie down").
Is “gist” a common word?
“Gist” is an uncommon word in modern English.
