Abstract Nouns in English: Guide and Examples

Today we are going to learn what abstract nouns are with a helpful guide, lots of examples, worksheets and some online exercises.

A noun is a word that refer to a person, place, object, event, substance, idea, feeling, or quality.

Abstract nouns represent intangible ideas, things you can’t perceive with the five main senses. Words like anger, time, beauty, and hatred are all abstract nouns because you can’t touch them or see them



Video about Abstract Nouns

This is a video that covers the abstract nouns are


Abstract Nouns Categories

Lots of abstract nouns belong to these categories:

  1. Emotions: love, happiness, anger, sadness
  2. Qualities: beauty, honesty, courage, intelligence
  3. Conditions: freedom, democracy, justice
  4. Ideas: democracy, freedom, equality
  5. Actions: love, laughter, thought

Abstract Nouns List

This is a list of the most common abstract nouns in English

BeautyHonor
BraveryHope
BrillianceHumility
BrutalityHumor
CalmnessInsanity
CharityIntegrity
ColdnessIntelligence
CompassionJealousy
ConfidenceKindness
ContentmentLoyalty
CourageMaturity
CuriosityPatience
DedicationPerseverance
DeterminationSanity
EgoSelf-control
EleganceSensitivity
EnthusiasmSophistication
EnvyStupidity
EvilSympathy
FearTalent
GenerosityTolerance
GoodnessTrust
GraciousnessWarmth
HatredWeakness
HonestyWisdom
CommunicationWit

Sentences with Abstract Nouns

These are some examples of sentences with abstract nouns

  1. We need to improve the communication with the team
  2. I appreciate your honesty
  3. Fear is not what you should feel right now
  4. She has a lot of patience
  5. He has a lot of integrity
  6. I like her good sense of humor
  7. He doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses
  8. I like her courage to stand up for what it is right
  9. That’s police brutality
  10. That increased her curiosity

Abstract Nouns Worksheets

These are some abstract nouns in PDF Format


Manuel Campos, English Professor

Manuel Campos

I am Jose Manuel, English professor and creator of EnglishPost.org, a blog whose mission is to share lessons for those who want to learn and improve their English