An abstract noun refers to a concept or idea. These nouns illustrate things that cannot be touched, tasted, smelled, seen, heard, or otherwise felt through the physical senses. Examples include emotions, ideas, and states of being. You recognize abstract nouns as words like “freedom,” “happiness,” or “courage”.

An abstract noun is a word that refers to something intangible, such as an emotion (e.g., anger, hate), a feeling (e.g., anxiety, fear), a quality (e.g., courage, patience), or an idea. An abstract noun does not represent a physical object. It is the opposite of a concrete noun.

Abstract nouns are not concrete things. They are not as easy to detect and understand by young learners, because they are not something that can be seen, heard, touched, smelled, or tasted. Common categories for abstract nouns include emotions, feelings, ideals, ideas, qualities, states, and events.

Abstract nouns can be words which name something that you cannot see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. Abstract nouns refer to an idea, quality, or state rather than a tangible object. Examples include: anger, charity, happiness, and love... Check out our 100+ abstract nouns list.

Here are a couple of examples of abstract nouns that you and your kids might know already: Freedom; Danger; Charity; Justice; Generosity; Hope; Love.