Abstract Noun - Definition, Types and Examples

 

Abstract nouns are a type of noun in English. Abstract nouns denote something that you cannot perceive with any of your five senses. In this article, we've covered:

• Abstract Noun Definition and Meaning 
• Abstract Noun Examples 
• Abstract Noun Sentences
• Types of Abstract Noun
• Abstract Noun List
• Abstract Noun VS Concrete Noun
• Abstract Noun Exercises 

Abstract Noun - Definition and Meaning

Cambridge Dictionary defines abstract noun as "A noun that refers to a thing that does not exit as a material object." and illustrates it with the help of examples "Happiness", "honesty" and "liberty" are abstract nouns."

From the definition mentioned above, we can conclude that:

• An abstract noun is a type of noun.
• An abstract noun refers to a nonphysical thing. 
• An abstract noun denotes an idea, quality or state rather than a concrete or physical thing.
• An abstract noun is the opposite of a concrete noun and cannot be felt with any one of your five senses.   

Abstract Noun Examples

• love 
• anger 
• sadness 
• happiness 
• honesty
• liberty
• Fraternity 
• war 
• beauty
• kindness
• generosity 
• cruelty 

Examples of Abstract Noun in Sentences

a. Everything's fair in love and war.

b. Kindness is to help others for nothing in return.

c. Generosity is to be liberal in giving.

d. Honesty is the best policy.

e. The French Revolution resulted in the origination of liberty, equality and fraternity.

f. Happiness is mine.

g. Beauty is temporary.

h. Reality is permanent.

i. Sorrow is part of life.

j. Love is a sweet poison.

 

Types of Abstract Noun

Based on what they refer to, abstract nouns can be categorized into the following kinds. 

• Abstract nouns referring to ideas: Some of the abstract nouns refer to ideas. Nouns such as liberty, equality, fraternity, justice, socialism, capitalism, and the like are all abstract nouns.
• Abstract nouns referring to feelings: Some of the abstract nouns refer to feelings. Nouns such as happiness, sadness, anger, excitement, sorrow, joy, surprise, shock, envy, fear and the like are all abstract nouns.
• Abstract nouns referring to qualities: The nouns that refer to qualities such as beauty, bravery, cowardice, kindness, cruelty, wisdom, generosity, honesty, loyalty, courage, pessimism, optimism and the like are all abstract nouns.

Abstract Noun List

• liberty
• freedom
• equality 
• fraternity 
• brotherhood
• justice
• socialism
• capitalism
• conservatism 
• absolutism
• egalitarianism
• democracy 
• autocracy 
• dictatorship 
• happiness
• sadness
• dejection
• agony 
• kindness
• generosity 
• bravery 
• beauty 
• cowardice
• anger 
• excitement 
• sorrow
• joy
• fear 
• envy 
• optimism 
• pessimism 
• loyalty 
• honesty

Abstract Noun VS Concrete Noun

The major difference between an abstract noun and concrete noun is that an abstract noun refers to a nonphysical thing such as happiness, while a concrete noun refers to a real physical thing such as book.

Abstract nouns cannot be felt with any one of your five senses, whereas concrete nouns can be felt with them. That is, concrete nouns can be seen, heard, tasted, touched and smelled, while abstract nouns cannot be.

Abstract Noun Exercises

Identify the abstract nouns used in the following sentences.

a. Love ends and war begins. 
b. Honesty is the best policy.
c. Many countries favor capitalism.
d. Some believe that democracy is the best form of government.
e. Dictatorship is the worst form of government.

Answer keys:
a. Love and war

b. Honesty 

c. Capitalism 

d. Democracy 

e. Dictatorship

 

FAQs - Abstract Noun

What is an abstract noun?

An abstract noun is a type of noun that refers to a nonphysical thing. Abstract nouns cannot be felt with any of five senses. That is, they cannot be seen, heard, tasted, touched or smelled. 

How to identify an abstract noun?

If a noun refers to a nonphysical thing, it cannot be sensed with any of five senses. If a noun cannot be sensed, it's an abstract noun.

What is the difference between an abstract noun and concrete noun?

The major difference between an abstract noun and concrete noun is that an abstract noun refers to a nonphysical thing such as happiness, while a concrete refers to a real physical thing such as book.

Abstract nouns cannot be felt with any one of your five senses, whereas concrete nouns can be felt with them. That is, concrete nouns can be seen, heard, tasted, touched and smelled, while abstract nouns cannot be.