Synonyms:
kernel, substance, core, center, centre, essence, gist, heart, heart_and_soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty
Meaning: 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"
Synonyms:
effect, essence, burden, core, gist
Meaning: the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
Usage examples
The gist of his teaching is contained in the statement that:
"The ferment in the devasted area," was the gist of their report, "is assuming myriads of shapes!
But Marie had been sharp enough to understand perfectly the gist of her aunt's manoeuvres and of the priest's incidental information.
The most that any earnest person should attempt to do with a daily paper is to glance over the headlines which give the gist of the news, and then to read such editorial comments as enable the reader to understand the more important events and affairs that are transpiring in the world so that reference to them in conversation would be intelligent and intelligible.