the gist
noun
: the general or basic meaning of something said or written : the main points
—usually + of
The gist of her argument was that the law was unfair.
I didn't read the whole article, but I got the gist of it.
Examples of the gist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shakman whisks us past all of this information, perhaps assuming that viewers have picked up the gist from past cinematic efforts and wouldn’t want to sit through all that backstory again.
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David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025
That way, readers get the gist, but can easily find more info.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 16 July 2025
Staying uncomfortable and tossing satisfaction aside was the gist of the message.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
After pitching the script to Brooks for 40 minutes, Gad said that the filmmaker got the gist.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the gist
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David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025
That way, readers get the gist, but can easily find more info.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 16 July 2025
Staying uncomfortable and tossing satisfaction aside was the gist of the message.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
After pitching the script to Brooks for 40 minutes, Gad said that the filmmaker got the gist.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the gist
Cite this Entry
“The gist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20gist. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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