Do you know what an abstract noun is? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on abstract nouns, including the definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin
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November 12, 2021
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What is an abstract noun?
According to Your Dictionary, abstract nouns are nouns which refer to something that is not tangible, such as emotions or qualities. In opposition, concrete nouns are tangible or physical things.
Abstract nouns have been used in many famous quotes like the below:
- “Justice means minding one’s own business and not meddling with other men’s concerns.” – Plato
- “Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” – Erich Fromm
- “Anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a monster that swallows it up.” – Mahatma Gandhi
- “Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.” – Bertrand Russell
- “I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.” – John D. Rockefeller
- “Men say they love independence in a woman, but they don’t waste a second demolishing it brick by brick.” – Candice Bergen
- “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” – Confucius
- “Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.” – Robert Frost
- “What light is to the eyes – what air is to the lungs – what love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of man.” – Robert Green Ingersoll
- “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein
Many different languages also contain words that mean abstract noun. You may notice that some of these translations of abstract noun look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates, which are words and phrases in different languages that likely have the same root or language of origin, causing them to sound the same. The below list of translations of abstract noun is provided by Word Sense.
- Finnish: abstrakti substantiivi
- Swedish: abstrakt substantiv (neut.)
- Russian: абстра́ктное существи́тельное (neut.)
- Persian: اسم معنی
- Japanese: 抽象名詞 (ちゅうしょうめいし, chūshōmeishi)
- Dutch: abstract substantief (neut.), abstractum (neut.)
- Thai: อาการนาม
- German: Abstraktum (neut.), abstraktes Substantiv (neut.), Begriffswort (neut.)
- French: nom abstrait (masc.)
- Hungarian: elvont főnév
- Sanskrit: भाववाचक (neut.)
- Italian: nome astratto (masc.)
- Tagalog: pangngalan na basal
- Telugu: గుణవిశేష్యము
- Mandarin: 抽象名詞, 抽象名词 (chōuxiàng míngcí)
- Greek: αφηρημένο ουσιαστικό (neut.)
- Portuguese: substantivo abstrato (masc.)
- Spanish: sustantivo abstracto (masc.)
- Turkish: soyut ad, soyut isim
What are examples of abstract nouns?
An abstract noun can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or literary technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! Below are many examples of abstract nouns from Your Dictionary and 7ESL that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use. Try to use the term abstract noun today or notice when someone else is using a abstract noun.
- Tolerance
- Inflation
- Sophistication
- Excitement
- Weariness
- Amazement
- Contentment
- Advantage
- Communication
- Slavery
- Disturbance
- Crime
- Shock
- Death
- Consideration
- Future
- Faith
- Talent
- Forgiveness
- Favoritism
- Stupidity
- Opportunity
- Divorce
- Justice
- Dreams
- Holiday
- Thought
- Envy
- Wit
- Marriage
- Unreality
- Freedom
- Dexterity
- Idea
- Law
- Maturity
- Ugliness
- Calmness
- Adoration
- Helpfulness
- Irritation
- Education
- Sorrow
- Happiness
- Fascination
- Hatred
- Success
- Peculiarity
- Gossip
- Hate
- Strength
- Restoration
- Childhood
- Intelligence
- Artistry
- Delight
- Delay
- Comfort
- Dictatorship
- Riches
- Memory
- Surprise
- Courage
- Angst
- Omen
- Wisdom
- Artistry
- Sparkle
- Fearlessness
- Anxiety
- Bravery
- Luck
- Joy
- Charity
- Loss
- Apprehension
- Timing
- Life
- Honor
- Homelessness
- Tiredness
- Trend
- Infancy
- Adventure
- Helplessness
- Lie
- Honesty
- Pleasure
- Love
- Satisfaction
- Self-control
- Compassion
- Pride
- Generation
- Awe
- Customer service
- Music
- Curiosity
- Frailty
- Chivalry
- Adulthood
- Wealth
- Loneliness
- Strictness
- Relief
- Hearsay
- Graciousness
- Hope
- Liberty
- Wariness
- Laughter
- Care
- Skill
- Growth
- Confusion
- Goodness
- Calm
- Speculation
- Confidence
- Career
- Determination
- Perseverance
- Ability
- Sacrifice
- Integrity
- Cleverness
- Brilliance
- Past
- Victory
- Humor
- Democracy
- Horror
- Despair
- Movement
- Dishonesty
- Peace
- Disbelief
- Idiosyncrasy
- Disregard
- Loyalty
- Speed
- Modernity
- Unity
- Anger
- Failure
- Faithfulness
- Grace
- Annoyance
- Culture
- Right
- Romance
- Ego
- Being
- Opinion
- Unemployment
- Peacefulness
- Submission
- Warmth
- Brutality
- Chaos
- Hurt
- Parenthood
- Goal
- Redemption
- Principle
- Fearfulness
- Jealousy
- Uncertainty
- Silliness
- Faithlessness
- Weakness
- Truth
- Present
- Grief
- Poverty
- Worry
- Misery
- Kindness
- Insanity
- Opportunism
- Religion
- Fulfillment
- Sanity
- Belief
- Birthday
- Patriotism
- Dream
- Pain
- Refreshment
- Fiction
- Decency
- Service
- Beauty
- Generosity
- Patience
- Coldness
- Relaxation
- Fragility
- Denial
- Elegance
- Evil
- Nap
- Rumor
- Sympathy
- Mercy
- Fear
- Power
- Enhancement
- Sadness
- Dedication
- Sleep
- Union
- Appetite
- Trust
- Energy
- Reality
- Information
- Impression
- Improvement
- Deceit
- Sensitivity
- Gain
- Need
- Strength
- Infatuation
- Motivation
- Knowledge
- Imagination
- Clarity
- Thrill
- Disquiet
- Defeat
- Luxury
- Awareness
- Disappointment
- Humility
- Boldness
- Rumour
- Enthusiasm
- Friendship
These nouns can also be used in sentences:
- Without respect, love cannot go far.
- In my humble opinion, he will win the election.
- Music can change a mood or be a creative outlet.
- May Christmas and the New Year be filled with happiness for you.
- I opened the packet just to satisfy my curiosity.
- Her dedication to her work was admirable.
- He has no hope of passing the examination.
- Restoration of electric service is important after a natural disaster.
- Unemployment is likely to go on rising this year.
- Our friendship has steadily strengthened over the years.
- The trend at the moment is towards a more natural and less made-up look.
- He smiled in satisfaction when he won the race.
- An employer should appraise the ability of his employees.
- He has exhibited symptoms of anxiety and overwhelming worry.
- We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy, and bravery.
- The onrush of tears took me by surprise.
- He felt he would burst with anger and shame.
- Inflation is considered to be undesirable because of its adverse effects on income distribution.
- He was willing to sacrifice his job in order to move to Hawaii.
- Childhood memories are sources of great joy.
- He listened in disbelief to this extraordinary story.
- I take it as a pleasure to attend your lecture.
- The education of children should be our number one priority.
- The economic growth dipped to a low point last year.
- Wisdom in the mind is better than money in the hand.
- He is admired for the elegance of his writing.
Overall, the abstract noun is something that is not tangible.
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