Definitions

nitty-gritty

[nit-ee-grit-ee] / ˈnɪt iˈgrɪt i /

NOUN

basic facts

Synonyms

STRONG

basics core essence focus fundamentals gist heart kernel meat quintessence reality root soul substance

WEAK

bottom line brass tacks chief part chief thing cold fact essential details essential part hard fact heart of the matter important matter meat and potatoes name of the game nuts and bolts the facts the name of the game

Antonyms

STRONG

exterior exteriority outside surface

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

nitty-gritty

“It’s like: Wait a minute, you’re starting to lose me on the nitty-gritty of this.”

From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026

Brand names such as Mercedes and Audi might conjure up images of wide-open autobahns, but when it comes to Formula One, the real nitty-gritty happens in Brackley and Bicester.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

While Brussels is setting out the nitty-gritty of the reforms it wants from Magyar, leaders will also be pushing for a new approach on Ukraine.

From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026

Keep the nitty-gritty of your plans to your financial manager and attorney — but explain the spirit of the plans to your kids.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 6, 2026

In short, they performed the sort of nitty-gritty credit analysis on the mortgage loans that should have been done before the loans were made in the first place.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

nitty-gritty

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words