Concrete and Abstract Nouns
Some nouns name things you can touch, see, or taste. Others name ideas and feelings that exist only in the mind. Learning the difference helps you understand how English describes the world.
The difference at a glance
Every noun names something, but nouns fall into two broad groups depending on whether you can perceive that thing with your senses.
Concrete nouns
- apple
- mountain
- rain
- dog
- music
- perfume
Abstract nouns
- happiness
- justice
- courage
- freedom
- childhood
- truth
Concrete nouns
A concrete noun names something you can experience with one or more of the five senses — sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch. If you can point to it, hold it, or sense it physically, it is concrete.
| Sense | Examples |
|---|---|
| Sight | sky, fire, rainbow, shadow |
| Hearing | thunder, music, whisper, alarm |
| Smell | perfume, smoke, garlic, pine |
| Taste | salt, honey, lemon, coffee |
| Touch | silk, sand, ice, bark |
The dog ran across the grass.
She poured hot coffee into a ceramic mug.
A cold wind blew through the open window.
Abstract nouns
An abstract noun names something that cannot be perceived by the senses — an idea, emotion, quality, concept, or state. You can think about it, feel it, or believe in it, but you cannot physically touch or see it.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Emotions | love, fear, joy, anger, grief |
| Qualities | courage, honesty, patience, wisdom |
| Ideas & concepts | freedom, democracy, justice, truth |
| States | childhood, sleep, hunger, peace |
| Processes | growth, education, progress, change |
Her courage inspired everyone in the room.
The country fought for freedom for many years.
He remembered his childhood with great happiness.
How to tell them apart
Ask yourself: Can I experience this with my senses?
- Can I see, hear, smell, taste, or touch it? → Concrete
- Is it an idea, feeling, or concept only? → Abstract
Anger — Can you touch anger? No. → Abstract ✓
Chair — Can you touch a chair? Yes. → Concrete ✓
Thunder — Can you hear thunder? Yes. → Concrete ✓
Justice — Can you see justice? No. → Abstract ✓
Forming abstract nouns
Many abstract nouns are formed from adjectives, verbs, or other nouns by adding a suffix.
| Base word | Suffix | Abstract noun |
|---|---|---|
| kind (adj) | -ness | kindness |
| happy (adj) | -ness | happiness |
| free (adj) | -dom | freedom |
| wise (adj) | -dom | wisdom |
| educate (v) | -ion | education |
| admire (v) | -ation | admiration |
| child (n) | -hood | childhood |
| friend (n) | -ship | friendship |
A noun can shift meaning
Some words can be concrete or abstract depending on context. The meaning — not the word itself — determines the category.
She has a light in her room. → Concrete (you can see it)
He brought light into a dark situation. → Abstract (metaphorical)
The team had great spirit. → Abstract (morale, attitude)
He believed in the spirit of the law. → Abstract (intention, essence)
Watch out: Not all abstract nouns are uncountable. Idea, dream, and belief are abstract but countable — you can say two ideas or several beliefs.
Tip: Abstract nouns often appear after verbs like feel, show, express, believe in, and have. If you can substitute a feeling or concept word after these verbs, it is likely abstract.