Abstract Nouns – Definition, Examples and Usage

An abstract noun is a type of noun that names ideas, feelings, or qualities. These are things you cannot see, touch, or hold because they are not physical objects. Abstract nouns describe concepts or emotions, like love or courage, that exist in our minds.

Abstract Noun Definition

They are words that name things you cannot touch or see, such as feelings, thoughts, and ideas. They refer to things that are invisible and untouchable.

Abstract Noun Definition for Kids

An abstract noun is a word for something you can think about or feel but cannot touch. These words help us talk about feelings, ideas, or qualities. For example, kindness, fear, and friendship are abstract nouns because they tell us about feelings or ideas, not objects.

Examples of Abstract Nouns

Here are some examples of abstract nouns:

• Feelings: Joy, anger, sadness, fear, love
• Ideas: Truth, freedom, knowledge, hope, change
• Qualities: Honesty, bravery, kindness, patience, strength
• Concepts: Justice, equality, culture, family, teamwork

List of Abstract Nouns

Category	Examples
Feelings	Joy, Fear, Anger, Hope, Pride
Ideas	Freedom, Change, Teamwork, Learning, Imagination
Qualities	Honesty, Bravery, Kindness, Patience, Strength
Concepts	Justice, Friendship, Family, Equality, Culture

Speak English Fluently in 90 Days!

How to Use Abstract Nouns in Sentences

Abstract nouns can be used as the subject or object in a sentence, just like other nouns. They can also be singular or plural.

Examples:

6. Love makes the world a better place.
7. She showed great kindness to the strangers.
8. The team worked hard to achieve success.
9. His honesty earned him everyone’s trust.
10. Patience is needed when solving a problem.
11. Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns
12. Both abstract nouns and concrete nouns are types of nouns, but they differ in how they represent things. Here’s a simple comparison:

Abstract Nouns	Concrete Nouns
Cannot be tasted, seen, smelled, touched, or heard.	Can be tasted, seen, smelled, touched, or heard.
Represents ideas, feelings, or qualities.	Represents physical objects or things.
Example: Love is an abstract noun because it cannot be touched or seen.	Example: Dog is a concrete noun because it can be touched or seen.

Converting Adjectives to Abstract Nouns

Adjectives are words that describe the qualities or characteristics of a noun. By adding certain suffixes, we can turn adjectives into abstract nouns, which represent ideas or qualities.

Examples:

• Brave → Bravery
• Strong → Strength
• Kind → Kindness
• Wise → Wisdom
• Safe → Safety
• Quiet → Quietness
• Active → Activity
• Clear → Clarity
• Happy → Happiness
• Honest → Honesty

Speak English Fluently in 90 Days!

Converting Common Nouns to Abstract Nouns

A common noun refers to general people, places, or things. Some common nouns can be transformed into abstract nouns by adding a suffix or modifying the word slightly.

Examples:

• King → Kingship
• Friend → Friendship
• Leader → Leadership
• Child → Childhood
• Brother → Brotherhood
• Hero → Heroism
• Neighbor → Neighborhood
• Citizen → Citizenship

Converting Verbs to Abstract Nouns

Verbs are action words. By adding specific suffixes, verbs can be converted into abstract nouns to describe actions or states.

Examples:

• Act → Action
• Perform → Performance
• Decide → Decision
• Create → Creation
• Laugh → Laughter
• Speak → Speech
• Achieve → Achievement
• Protect → Protection
• Educate → Education
• Agree → Agreement

Can a Word Be Both a Noun and a Verb?

Yes, some words can act as both nouns and verbs without changing their form. These words can represent actions when used as verbs and objects, ideas, or people when used as nouns.

Examples:

1. Run
   • As a noun: I went for a run this morning.
   • As a verb: She will run in the marathon tomorrow.
2. Play
   • As a noun: The school is hosting a play.
   • As a verb: The kids love to play in the park.
3. Watch
   • As a noun: He bought a new wrist watch.
   • As a verb: We should watch the sunset together.
4. Paint
   • As a noun: The artist completed her paint on the canvas.
   • As a verb: I will paint the walls this weekend.
5. Dance
   • As a noun: The couple performed a beautiful dance.
   • As a verb: Everyone loves to dance at parties.
6. Jump
   • As a noun: He made a huge jump over the puddle.
   • As a verb: Can you jump across this stream?

Speak English Fluently in 90 Days!

Examples of Abstract Nouns in Sentences

Here are some examples of abstract nouns used in sentences. 

1. You should always speak the truth no matter what.
2. She is filled with joy after receiving the news.
3. Pride can sometimes prevent people from apologizing.
4. Kindness costs nothing but means everything.
5. The soldiers displayed remarkable bravery during the rescue mission.
6. Without effort, there can be no reward.
7. He expressed his admiration for her creativity.
8. It is an honor to welcome you to our home.
9. Our loyalty towards each other will never fade.
10. Recalling those old school days brings me so much happiness.
11. True friendship is hard to find but easy to cherish.
12. Determination is the key to achieving your dreams.
13. Wisdom grows with experience and age.
14. The atmosphere at the party was lively and joyful.
15. The right to education is fundamental for everyone.

Abstract Nouns Exercise

Carefully read the sentences below and identify the abstract nouns in each one.

1. Happiness is the secret to a peaceful life.
2. Knowledge is more valuable than gold.
3. Always have patience in difficult times.
4. His fear of failure held him back.
5. Generosity can brighten someone’s day.
6. Hope keeps us moving forward in life.
7. Honesty builds trust in relationships.
8. She felt immense gratitude for her teacher’s help.
9. The players celebrated their hard-earned victory.
10. Success comes with hard work and dedication.

Answer Key

1. Happiness
2. Knowledge
3. Patience
4. Fear
5. Generosity
6. Hope
7. Honesty
8. Gratitude
9. Victory
10. Success