moral of the story

Meanings

nounmoral of the story (plural morals of the story or morals of the stories)

idiomaticThe key lesson or message that an incident, situation or other happening conveys; a general takeaway point.
(please add the primary text of this usage example)
1 more example
The moral of the story — "Wait till you're a big pot" — is a sound one.
1992, David Pannick, Advocates
Synonyms: essence, quintessence, thrust, bowels, sum, brass tacks, core, crux
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see moral, story; the ethical lesson to be learned from a fictional tale.

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

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Cite this entry

APA

moral of the story. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/moral%20of%20the%20story

MLA

“moral of the story.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/moral%20of%20the%20story. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “moral of the story,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/moral%20of%20the%20story.