Abstract Nouns Lesson : Definition, Use And Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is an Abstract Noun?
• What Are Types of Abstract Nouns?
• Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns
• List of Abstract Nouns
• Examples of Abstract Nouns
• Abstract Nouns Assessment

Have you ever thought about things like happiness, freedom, or even time? You can't really see or touch them, can you? That's because they're abstract nouns!

In this lesson, learn their types, uses, and examples to better understand how they represent ideas, concepts, and qualities rather than physical objects.

What Is an Abstract Noun?

An abstract noun is a word that names something you can't experience with your five senses. You can't see it, hear it, smell it, taste it, or touch it! Instead, it names an idea, feeling, quality or concept that exists beyond physical reality. Understanding abstract nouns is important because they allow us to express complex ideas that can't be seen or touched.

Examples:

• Love: You can feel love, but you can't actually see or hold it in your hand.
• Courage: You can see someone act bravely, but you can't see "courage" itself.
• Justice: It's an important idea, but it's not something you can touch or taste.

Take This Quiz :

The Noun Family: Abstract Nouns

What Are Types of Abstract Nouns?

Abstract nouns can be categorized into different types based on what they represent. Here are the main categories:

1. Feelings:

These nouns describe emotions or moods that people experience.

• Examples: joy, sadness, anger, fear, excitement
  

2. Qualities:

These refer to traits or characteristics that define a person, place, or thing.

• Examples: honesty, bravery, kindness, patience, intelligence
  

3. Ideas:

These nouns express thoughts, beliefs, or concepts.

• Examples: freedom, justice, peace, equality, creativity
  

4. States of Being:

These describe conditions, stages of life, or relationships.

• Examples: childhood, adulthood, friendship, poverty, relaxation
  

5. Concepts

These represent principles, forces, or abstract notions that affect our lives.

• Examples: time, gravity, energy, distance, power
  
  

Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns

To understand abstract nouns better, it's helpful to compare them with concrete nouns.

Take This Quiz :

Abstract Nouns Quiz Questions and answers

List of Abstract Nouns

Below is a list of some more abstract nouns grouped by type for easy understanding:

Examples of Abstract Nouns

Many abstract nouns are derived from verbs, often by adding specific suffixes. Here are some common patterns and abstract nouns examples categorized by type: 

Forming Abstract Nouns from Verbs:

• -tion / -ation / -sion / -xion: These suffixes often denote a process or result of an action.
  • Verb: Act -> Abstract Noun: Action  
  • Verb: Create -> Abstract Noun: Creation  
  • Verb: Discuss -> Abstract Noun: Discussion
  • Verb: Connect -> Abstract Noun: Connection
  • Verb: Decide -> Abstract Noun: Decision  
  • Verb: Imagine -> Abstract Noun: Imagination 
    
• -ment: This suffix frequently forms abstract nouns related to actions or states.
  • Verb: Develop -> Abstract Noun: Development  
  • Verb: Manage -> Abstract Noun: Management  
  • Verb: Agree -> Abstract Noun: Agreement
  • Verb: Treat -> Abstract Noun: Treatment 
    
• -ance / -ence: These suffixes often indicate a state or quality related to the verb.
  
  • Verb: Appear -> Abstract Noun: Appearance  
  • Verb: Perform -> Abstract Noun: Performance  
  • Verb: Exist -> Abstract Noun: Existence  
  • Verb: Interfere -> Abstract Noun: Interference
    
• -al: This suffix can also create abstract nouns.
  • Verb: Refuse -> Abstract Noun: Refusal  
  • Verb: Approve -> Abstract Noun: Approval 
    
• -ing: While often used to form present participles, the "-ing" form can sometimes function as an abstract noun, particularly when referring to a gerund (a verb form ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun).
  • Verb: Learn -> Abstract Noun: Learning (e.g., "Learning is a lifelong process.")
  • Verb: Read -> Abstract Noun: Reading (e.g., "Reading broadens the mind.")

Forming Abstract Nouns from Adjectives:

• -ness: This is a very common suffix for forming abstract nouns from adjectives, indicating a quality or state.
  • Adjective: Kind -> Abstract Noun: Kindness  
  • Adjective: Happy -> Abstract Noun: Happiness  
  • Adjective: Sad -> Abstract Noun: Sadness  
  • Adjective: Honest -> Abstract Noun: Honesty  
  • Adjective: Aware -> Abstract Noun: Awareness 
    
• -ity: This suffix is used to form abstract nouns, often indicating a state or quality.
  • Adjective: Possible -> Abstract Noun: Possibility
  • Adjective: Stable -> Abstract Noun: Stability
  • Adjective: Real -> Abstract Noun: Reality
  • Adjective: Creative -> Abstract Noun: Creativity 
    
• -th: This older suffix is still used in some abstract nouns.
  • Adjective: Strong -> Abstract Noun: Strength  
  • Adjective: Wide -> Abstract Noun: Width
  • Adjective: Deep -> Abstract Noun: Depth  

• -dom: This suffix indicates a state or condition.
  • Adjective: Free -> Abstract Noun: Freedom
  • Adjective: Wise -> Abstract Noun: Wisdom 
    
• -ship: This suffix denotes a relationship or state.
  
  • Adjective: Friend -> Abstract Noun: Friendship
  • Adjective: Hard -> Abstract Noun: Hardship
    
    

Abstract Nouns Assessment

Let's practice identifying and using abstract nouns with these activities:

1. Identify the abstract noun:
   • The kindness of the stranger amazed me.
   • She felt pride after winning the competition.
   • Justice is essential for a fair society.
     
2. Sort the nouns: Separate the following into abstract and concrete nouns:
   • Table, joy, apple, freedom, honesty, chair, courage
     
3. Create your sentences: Write three sentences using different abstract nouns from the list above.