abstract noun

noun

Grammar.

1. a noun denoting something immaterial and abstract, as rest, dread, or transportation.

2. a noun formed with a suffix that imparts such a meaning, as kindness.

abstract noun

noun

1. a noun that refers to an abstract concept, as for example kindness Compare concrete noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstract noun¹

First recorded in 1350–1400

When To Use

What is an abstract noun?

An abstract noun is a type of noun that represents immaterial or abstract items, that is, things that we can’t actually interact with using our five senses. Abstract nouns are things like ideas, concepts, feelings, and traits.For example, fear is an abstract noun that refers to a feeling. Although you might be able to see the thing you feel fear about, like a spider, you can’t see or touch the fear itself.Other examples of abstract nouns are justice and mercy. You can’t use your senses to interact with justice and mercy, but you likely know them when they happen. Abstract nouns help us talk about complicated things.Abstract nouns are one of the two major categories of nouns. The other one is concrete nouns, which we use for material things, such as puppy, cheese, or Peru. Some words are concrete nouns even if they’re invisible or tasteless. For example, the word wind is a concrete noun because you can feel it on your skin—it’s a real-world thing, as opposed to an abstract concept.Many verbs and adjectives become abstract nouns when they’re combined with a suffix that creates a noun, such as -ness or -ion. For example, loneliness comes from the adjective lonely and education comes from the verb educate.