adjective

abstract

/ˈæbstrækt/ (adjective/noun) /æbˈstrækt/ (verb) · say it: AB·strakt (noun/adjective); ab·STRAKT (verb)

art that does not depict recognizable objects

In Arts & Culture

In more detail

1. (adjective) existing only as an idea, not as a physical thing or concrete example

2. (adjective) dealing with ideas and theories rather than practical things

3. (noun) a short written summary of a longer text, especially an academic paper

4. (verb) to remove or take something away from a place

Examples

1. Love and justice are abstract concepts.
2. Abstract art doesn't try to show things as they really look.
3. The abstract of the research paper helped me understand the main findings quickly.

How to use abstract

Abstract (adjective) describes ideas, theories, or art that are not tied to physical reality or specific examples; it contrasts sharply with concrete. The noun form (abstract) is standard in academic contexts as a brief summary preceding a full paper. The verb is less common in modern English and sounds somewhat formal or technical.

Common phrases

abstract concept
abstract art
abstract thinking
in the abstract
abstract noun

Synonyms

theoretical · conceptual · non-concrete · intangible · summary

Opposites

concrete · concrete · practical

Word family

abstractly (adverb) · abstraction (noun) · abstractness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners often confuse abstract with abstruse; abstract means non-concrete or theoretical, while abstruse means difficult to understand or obscure.

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