Phrase guide

moral of the story

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The key lesson or message that an incident, situation or other happening conveys; a general takeaway point.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • (please add the primary text of this usage example)

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: essence, quintessence, thrust, bowels, sum, brass tacks, core, crux, gist, drift, guts, gravamen, heart, heart and soul, heartstring, heartstrings, inwardness, kernel, marrow, meat, moral of the story, nitty-gritty, nub, nuts and bolts, pith, punctum saliens, soul, spirit, stuff, substance, tenor

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see moral, story; the ethical lesson to be learned from a fictional tale.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.