gist

The main idea of something spoken or written, without all the details.

• I got the gist of the story.
• Can you explain the gist of her argument?
• He missed a few words but understood the gist.

How to use it: the gist of something (She told me the gist of the conversation.)

Similar words: main idea, essence, substance

Common phrases: gist of something, get the gist, understand the gist

A short piece of computer code saved online so other people can view or use it.

• She shared the code in a gist.
• Can you send me a link to your gist?
• He saved three useful scripts as separate gists.

Similar words: code snippet

Common phrases: create a gist, share a gist, public gist

Talk about other people’s lives, or a particular story that may not be true.

• She always has the latest gist.
• We sat down to share gist after work.
• He told me a juicy gist about their neighbour.

Similar words: gossip, rumour

Common phrases: latest gist, juicy gist, share gist

To give the main points of a piece of writing in a shorter form.

• Please gist the report for the meeting.
• She gisted the article in three sentences.
• Can you gist this document for us?

Similar words: summarize, abridge

Common phrases: gist a report, gist the document

To talk casually, often about other people and their lives.

• We sat outside and gisted.
• She likes to gist with her friends.
• They were gisting about their neighbors.

How to use it: gist with someone (I gisted with my friends after dinner.)

Similar words: chat, gossip

Common phrases: gist with someone, sit and gist