What is the difference between abstract nouns and concrete nouns?

As mentioned before, a noun is a word that represents a person, a place, a thing, or an idea. There are many different kinds of nouns, and two of those types are abstract nouns and concrete nouns.

Abstract Noun

An abstract noun describes something that we experience as an idea or concept that cannot be touched. If you cannot perceive something with one of the five senses (i.e. seeing, touching, hearing, tasting, smelling), the thing you are thinking of is an abstract noun.

Some examples of abstract nouns include: freedom, kindness, courage, experience, and education.

It took a lot of determination to pass the test.

Determination is an abstract noun because it cannot be seen, heard, tasted, touched, or smelled.

Here are more examples of abstract nouns in context.

The travelers were amazed by the kindness of the people.

Education is essential to the success of the people.

All you need is love.

Can abstract nouns be countable nouns as well?

Certainly. Abstract nouns such as idea, concept, hope, dream, and rumor are all countable.

The team came up with two innovative ideas.

There’s a new rumor going around.

Concrete Noun

A concrete noun is a noun that can perceived through one of the five senses (i.e. seeing, touching, hearing, tasting, smelling).

Some examples of concrete nouns include: computer, dog, river, house, and pizza.

The pizza was delicious!

Pizza is an concrete noun because it can be seen, tasted, touched, and smelled. A pizza is not usually heard, but it is still considered a concrete noun.

Learn about different kinds of nouns

There are several categories of nouns, and nouns can fall under more than one category. Some of the categories include common and proper nouns, uncountable and countable nouns, compound nouns, and collective nouns.

Noun
(bicycle, Mary, idea)

Proper Noun
(Paris, Mary, Toyota)

Common Noun
(city, woman, car)

Countable Noun
(table, pencil, house)

Uncountable Noun
(water, sand, knowledge)

Abstract Noun
(freedom, kindness)

Concrete Noun
(book, tree)

Collective Noun
(family, team, class)

Compound Noun
(football player, hot dog, handbag)

Let us know what you think!

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