Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun gist

2 senses of gist

Sense 1
effect, essence, burden, core, gist -- (the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work)
       => meaning, significance, signification, import -- (the message that is intended or expressed or signified; "what is the meaning of this sentence"; "the significance of a red traffic light"; "the signification of Chinese characters"; "the import of his announcement was ambiguous")

Sense 2
kernel, substance, core, center, centre, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty -- (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")
       => content, cognitive content, mental object -- (the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned)