abstract noun
noun
plural abstract nouns
grammar
: a noun (such as love or freedom) that refers to a general idea or quality rather than an actual object, person, etc.
I'm loath to replace a metaphysically rich abstract noun like "joy" with an adjective.—Sophie Hughes
compare concrete noun
Cite this Entry
“Abstract noun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstract%20noun. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
