abstract noun

American  

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.

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abstract noun British  

noun

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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of abstract noun

First recorded in 1350–1400

Compare meaning

How does abstract-noun compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• concrete noun vs. abstract noun

Example Sentences

An abstract noun is a word such as concept or practice.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

Skinny, usually an adjective, is here turned into an abstract noun, paired with another abstract noun, nothing.

From The Guardian • Sep. 21, 2018

The only email sent by Eakin showed an elementary schoolteacher in the classroom asking her students for two examples of an abstract noun, something they can think of but not touch.

From Washington Times • Oct. 22, 2015

It will be interesting to see what he might do with material relating more closely to his own time and place – and based on a concrete rather than an abstract noun.

From The Guardian • Mar. 10, 2013

Both adjectives and abstract nouns express quality, but the adjective is in a condition of dependence on a noun, while the abstract noun is independent and self-supporting.

From The Religion of Numa And Other Essays on the Religion of Ancient Rome by Carter, Jesse Benedict