Is it *Jist or Gist? | Meaning & Correct Spelling
Gist is a noun meaning “essence” or “main idea.” It’s always preceded by the definite article “the” (you can’t say “a gist”). In legal contexts, gist is used to refer to the grounds of a legal action.
“Jist” is sometimes mistakenly used instead of gist. However, “jist” is not a real word and should be avoided.
- I got the jist of the lecture.
- I got the gist of the lecture.
- What is the jist of the book?
- What is the gist of the book?
Table of contents
Get the gist
Get the gist is an expression used to mean that someone understands the main point of something, even if they don’t get all the details. It’s almost always preceded by a pronoun indicating whom the expression refers to (e.g., “you get the gist”).
The expression is quite informal and should be avoided in contexts like academic writing.
Although the instructions are quite technical, for all intents and purposes, you get the gist.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is a synonym for “gist”?
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Some synonyms and near synonyms of gist include:
- Core
- Essence
- Quintessence
- Substance
- Summary
- Thrust
- What does “the jist of it” mean?
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The gist of it is an expression meaning “the main point of it.” “The jist of it” is sometimes mistakenly used instead of the gist of it, but it is a misspelling and should be avoided.
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Ryan, E. (2023, August 23). Is it *Jist or Gist? | Meaning & Correct Spelling. Scribbr. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/common-mistakes/jist-or-gist/
