What do love, bravery, and freedom have in common? You can’t touch them, see them, or hear them, but they shape everything from playground friendships to world history. They’re not things you can hold, but they hold meaning. These are abstract nouns: the words we use for feelings, ideas, and values: the invisible threads that run through every story we tell.
Understanding abstract nouns helps students move beyond naming things they can see, and into naming things they can feel. That shift unlocks stronger writing, clearer thinking, and a deeper emotional vocabulary — especially for ESL learners or younger students still finding the right words for what’s going on inside.
In this guide, you’ll find straightforward definitions, simple examples, a comparison chart, and a free printable worksheet you can use straight away. It’s designed for Grades 4–9, and works just as well in the classroom as it does at the kitchen table with a parent.
What Is an Abstract Noun?
An abstract noun is a word that names something we can’t see, touch, or physically measure — things like hope, anger, honesty, or joy. These are ideas, emotions, or qualities we experience, but not with our five senses.
Test: Is it an abstract noun?
- Can I touch it?
- Can I see or hear it?
- Can I measure it?
If the answer is no to all three — it’s abstract.
Example:
Courage is what it takes to try again after failing.
You can’t see courage, but you can feel it.
Abstract vs Concrete Nouns
Abstract nouns describe things we feel or think.
Concrete nouns describe things we can see or touch.
| Concrete Noun | Abstract Noun |
| Apple | Kindness |
| Chair | Friendship |
| Music | Happiness |
| Teacher | Confidence |
| Book | Wisdom |
Tip for ESL students: If you can use your senses to detect it, it’s concrete. If it lives in the mind or heart, it’s abstract.
How Are Abstract Nouns Formed?
Many abstract nouns are created by adding a suffix to a verb or adjective. Here are some common patterns:
| Suffix | Example Root Word | Abstract Noun |
| -ness | happy | happiness |
| -tion | educate | education |
| -ity | real | reality |
| -ence/-ance | patient | patience |
| -ship | friend | friendship |
| -dom | free | freedom |
Learn more about suffixes using our printable classroom handout
List of 50 Abstract Nouns with Example Sentences
Here’s a quick-reference table with 50 abstract nouns, each used in a sentence. Ideal for writing prompts, homework, or ESL review.
| Abstract Noun | Example Sentence |
| Love | Love makes people feel safe and supported. |
| Fear | Fear can stop us from trying new things. |
| Hope | Hope keeps us moving forward during tough times. |
| Friendship | Their friendship grew stronger every year. |
| Bravery | It takes bravery to stand up for others. |
| Joy | The puppy brought so much joy to the family. |
| Anger | He felt anger when his book was stolen. |
| Truth | Telling the truth helps build trust. |
| Freedom | Everyone deserves freedom and respect. |
| Confidence | Her confidence helped her present clearly. |
| Trust | Trust is earned over time. |
| Sadness | The movie filled her with sadness. |
| Justice | Justice means treating everyone fairly. |
| Wisdom | Wisdom comes from learning from mistakes. |
| Patience | Patience is needed when teaching young children. |
| Kindness | A small act of kindness can change someone’s day. |
| Curiosity | Curiosity drives discovery and invention. |
| Gratitude | Gratitude helps us see the good in life. |
| Peace | The park was a place of peace and quiet. |
| Creativity | Creativity helps solve problems in new ways. |
| Happiness | Happiness is different for everyone. |
| Loyalty | Dogs are known for their loyalty. |
| Determination | Determination helps athletes reach their goals. |
| Respect | Respect for others builds strong communities. |
| Disappointment | She felt disappointment when the trip was cancelled. |
| Success | Success comes from hard work and planning. |
| Failure | Failure is part of learning. |
| Ambition | His ambition was to become a doctor. |
| Faith | Faith gives people strength in hard times. |
| Despair | He fell into despair after losing the match. |
| Generosity | Generosity is giving without expecting anything back. |
| Humour | Humour helps people connect and relax. |
| Injustice | Injustice can make people angry and frustrated. |
| Liberty | Liberty is the right to make your own choices. |
| Pride | She felt pride in her work. |
| Shame | Shame can stop people from speaking up. |
| Surprise | His birthday party was a big surprise. |
| Courage | Courage is doing what’s right, even when afraid. |
| Honesty | Honesty means telling the truth, even when it’s hard. |
| Jealousy | Jealousy can damage friendships. |
| Pain | Pain isn’t always visible. |
| Pleasure | Reading brings her great pleasure. |
| Pity | He looked at the stray dog with pity. |
| Reason | Use reason before making decisions. |
| Imagination | Imagination helps writers build new worlds. |
| Knowledge | Knowledge grows when we read and ask questions. |
| Belief | Belief in yourself is powerful. |
| Inspiration | Her teacher was her biggest inspiration. |
50 Examples Of Abstract Nouns
- Awe: The child stared at the stars in awe.
- Beauty: The sunset painted the sky with breathtaking beauty.
- Bravery: His act of bravery saved the drowning puppy.
- Brilliance: The scientist’s brilliance revolutionized the field of physics.
- Brutality: The war showed the true brutality of human nature.
- Calmness: Despite the chaos, she maintained her calmness.
- Charity: His constant acts of charity helped many in need.
- Coldness: The coldness of her stare sent shivers down his spine.
- Compassion: Her compassion for animals led her to become a veterinarian.
- Confidence: His unwavering confidence impressed everyone around him.
- Contentment: After years of struggle, she finally found contentment in simple living.
- Courage: It took immense courage to speak up against injustice.
- Curiosity: His insatiable curiosity led him to explore distant lands.
- Dedication: Her dedication to her craft made her a renowned artist.
- Determination: Despite the setbacks, his determination never wavered.
- Ego: His inflated ego often led to conflicts with his peers.
- Elegance: The ballerina danced with effortless elegance.
- Enthusiasm: Her contagious enthusiasm inspired others to join the cause.
- Envy: His success fueled the envy of those around him.
- Evil: The villain’s evil plans threatened the entire kingdom.
- Faithfulness: Their years of faithfulness resulted in a strong marriage.
- Fear: Despite her fear, she faced the challenge head-on.
- Generosity: His generosity knew no bounds.
- Goodness: The world could use more acts of goodness.
- Graciousness: Despite the loss, she accepted defeat with graciousness.
- Hatred: The war was fueled by centuries of hatred.
- Helpfulness: Her helpfulness made her a beloved member of the community.
- Helplessness: He felt a sense of helplessness as he watched the disaster unfold.
- Honesty: His honesty earned him the trust of his colleagues.
- Honor: He fought for his country with great honor.
- Hope: In times of despair, we cling to hope.
- Humility: Despite his success, he remained humble.
- Humor: His witty humor brightened even the darkest of days.
- Infatuation: Their whirlwind romance was fueled by infatuation.
- Insanity: The murderer’s actions defied all logic, a true act of insanity.
- Integrity: He was a man of great integrity, never compromising his principles.
- Intelligence: Her sharp intelligence was evident from a young age.
- Jealousy: Her green-eyed jealousy often caused rifts in her friendships.
- Kindness: Simple acts of kindness can make a big difference.
- Love: Theirs was a love that stood the test of time.
- Loyalty: His loyalty to his friends was unwavering.
- Maturity: With age comes maturity and wisdom.
- Patience: Rome wasn’t built in a day; it takes patience.
- Perseverance: Through hardships, she learned the power of perseverance.
- Power: With great power comes great responsibility.
- Sanity: The traumatic experience left her questioning her own sanity.
- Self-control: Learning self-control is essential for personal growth.
- Self-discipline: His success was a result of his strict self-discipline.
- Sensitivity: His sensitivity towards others’ feelings made him a great leader.
- Sophistication: The gala exuded an air of sophistication and elegance.
Classroom Activities
1. Sort the Nouns
Give students a mix of abstract and concrete nouns. Ask them to sort the list into two columns. Great for small groups or interactive whiteboards.
2. Abstract Noun Charades
Students act out an abstract noun (like “joy” or “fear”) without using words. The class guesses the word. It’s fun and helps build emotional vocabulary.
Final Words
In the wonderful world of words, abstract nouns are like the colorful threads that weave together the stories of our hearts and minds. Through the lens of examples of abstract nouns, we glimpse the profound depths of human consciousness, where emotions, ideals, and virtues reside.
As we navigate the labyrinth of language, we discover that these intangible concepts hold immense power to shape our perceptions, influence our interactions, and define the very essence of our existence. By embracing the richness of abstract nouns, we embark on a voyage of self-discovery, empathy, and enlightenment, unraveling the mysteries of the human condition one word at a time.
It’s a noun that names something you can’t see or touch, like feelings or ideas.
Yes! You can say hopes, fears, or freedoms — many abstract nouns can be made plural.
Yes. You can feel happiness, but you can’t see or touch it — so it’s abstract.
Start with feelings and values students already know, then use examples and comparison activities.
Abstract nouns open the door to deeper thinking and expressive writing. Whether you’re teaching ESL learners or supporting your child at home, use the examples and worksheet in this guide to help students build stronger language skills.
For a full definition, see Oxford Learner’s Dictionary
Abstract Nouns Quiz – Test Your Grammar Skills
Think you know your abstract nouns? This interactive 10-question quiz will put your knowledge to the test. Each question challenges you to spot or select the correct abstract noun from a set of options. You’ll get instant feedback, can reveal the correct answers at any time, and even retry the quiz with the answers shuffled for a fresh challenge. Perfect for students, teachers, or anyone looking to sharpen their grammar skills while having a bit of fun.
Abstract Nouns – Quick Quiz (10 Questions)
Choose the best answer for each item.
Abstract Nouns Worksheet – Engaging Class Activity for Grades 4–9
Abstract nouns name ideas, feelings, and qualities—things we can’t see or touch but can understand and experience. This printable worksheet is designed for Grades 4–9 and helps students identify, categorize, and use abstract nouns in sentences. Through a mix of examples, practice exercises, and creative prompts, learners will strengthen their vocabulary and develop a deeper understanding of how abstract nouns make writing more expressive and precise. Perfect for classwork, homework, or group activities, this resource keeps students engaged while building essential grammar skills
Downloadable PowerPoint Lesson: Examples of Abstract Nouns
Give your students a clear, engaging introduction to abstract nouns with this ready-to-use PowerPoint lesson. The slides cover definitions, comparisons with concrete nouns, formation patterns, and real-world examples of feelings, qualities, and ideas. Interactive activities help learners identify abstract nouns, sort them from concrete ones, and create their own sentences. This resource is perfect for introducing the concept, reinforcing understanding, and encouraging hands-on practice in the classroom.
How to Use This Resource:
Open the PowerPoint in class and work through each slide with your students. Use the example slides to explain concepts, pause for the interactive activities to let students share answers, and encourage them to complete the creative writing prompts. You can adapt the pacing for a single lesson or spread it across multiple sessions, and pair it with the downloadable worksheet for extra practice.
