Abstract

Meaning

Abstract means existing as an idea, quality, or concept rather than as a physical or concrete object. It can also describe something that is difficult to understand because it deals with ideas rather than specific examples or physical things.

Pronunciation

/ˈæb.strækt/

Word Forms

• Adjective: abstract
• Noun: abstraction
• Verb: abstract
• Adverb: abstractly

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

• abstract idea — an idea that is conceptual rather than physical or concrete.
• abstract concept — an idea that cannot be directly experienced through the senses.
• abstract thought — thinking about ideas, principles, or concepts rather than specific objects.
• abstract art — art that does not attempt to represent physical reality directly.
• abstract reasoning — the ability to understand relationships between ideas and concepts.
• abstract theory — a theory concerned primarily with general principles or concepts.

Example Sentences

• The concept of freedom can be difficult to explain because it is abstract.
• Young children often find abstract ideas harder to understand than concrete examples.
• She enjoys studying philosophy because she likes thinking about abstract questions.
• The artist became known for her abstract paintings.
• His explanation was too abstract, so I asked him to give me a practical example.

Literary Example

Example:

“I was talking about woman in the abstract.”

— Frank Frankfort Moore, A Gray Eye or So

Here, abstract means existing as a general idea rather than referring to a specific person or example. The speaker is discussing women as a general concept rather than any particular woman.

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