Abstract — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun verb /ab-ˈstrakt/ (adjective) /ˈab-ˌstrakt/ (noun) ab·stract

Meaning & Definition of Abstract

Abstract (adjective)

  1. relating to or involving general ideas or qualities rather than an actual object, person, etc.
  2. difficult to understand, abstruse
  3. insufficiently factual, formal

Abstract (noun)

  1. a summary or abridgment (as of a book, a scientific article, or a legal document)
  2. an abstract thing or state
  3. an abstract composition or creation in art

Abstract (verb)

  1. to make a summary or abstract of, summarize
  2. to draw away the attention of
  3. steal, purloin

Abstract (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. dealing with or expressing a quality or idea

    "the book deals with abstract matters such as honesty and integrity on the job as well as practical subjects such as asking for a raise"

    similar: conceptual, ideal, ideational, metaphysical, notional, theoretical
    related: conjectural, hypothetical, speculative, cosmic, intellectual, mental, spiritual, ethereal, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unsubstantial, impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible, impractical, romantic, transcendent, transcendental, unreal, utopian, visionary
    opposite: concrete, nonabstract
    near: material, physical, appreciable, detectable, discernible, noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, sensible, substantial, tangible, visible, defined, definite, distinct, actual, factual, real

  2. using elements of form (as color, line, or texture) with little or no attempt at creating a realistic picture

    "Cubism is a style of abstract art in which natural forms are broken up into geometric shapes"

    similar: nonfigurative, nonobjective, nonrealistic, nonrepresentational
    related: expressionist, expressionistic, impressionist, impressionistic, symbolist, symbolistic
    opposite: figurative, naturalistic, nonabstract, objective, realistic, representational
    near: lifelike, natural

Abstract (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a short statement of the main points

    "the scientist wrote a bare-bones abstract of his research and conclusions"

    similar: breviary, brief, capsule, conspectus, digest, encapsulation, epitome, inventory, outline, précis, recap, recapitulation, résumé, roundup, run-through, rundown, sum, sum-up, summa, summarization, summary, summing-up, synopsis, wrap-up
    related: abbreviation, abridgment, compend, compendium, condensation, curtailment, shortening, simplification, streamlining, rehash, reprise, conclusion, epilogue
    near: amplification, enlargement, expansion, addendum, supplement

  2. a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)

    "a recent college valedictorian who's been hailed as the very abstract of what's right with today's young people"

    similar: avatar, embodier, embodiment, epitome, externalization, genius, icon, image, incarnation, incorporation, instantiation, manifestation, objectification, personification, personifier
    related: actualization, concretization, exemplification, personalization, realization, substantiation, essence, quintessence, soul, archetype, exemplar, model, paradigm, pattern, reincarnation

Abstract (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to draw the attention or mind to something else

    "personal problems abstracted him so persistently that he struggled to keep his mind on his work"

    similar: call off, detract, distract, divert, throw off
    related: amuse, beguile, entertain, stray, wander
    near: concentrate, focus

  2. to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)

    "took the 135-page report and abstracted it in three short paragraphs"

    similar: boil down, brief, digest, encapsulate, epitomize, outline, recap, recapitulate, reprise, sum up, summarize, synopsize, wrap up
    related: abridge, condense, curtail, cut back, shorten, downsize, shrink, concentrate, consolidate, decoct, essentialize, simplify, streamline
    near: elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, amplify, elaborate (on or upon), enlarge (on or upon), expand, supplement

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Abstract

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abstract:

conceptual, ideal, ideational, metaphysical, notional, theoretical, nonfigurative, nonobjective, nonrealistic, nonrepresentational, breviary, brief, capsule, conspectus, digest, encapsulation, epitome, inventory, outline, précis, recap, recapitulation, résumé, roundup, run-through, rundown, sum, sum-up, summa, summarization, summary, summing-up, synopsis, wrap-up, avatar, embodier, embodiment, externalization, genius, icon

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Abstract

Words with the opposite meaning of Abstract:

concrete, nonabstract, figurative, naturalistic, objective, realistic, representational

Related Words for Abstract

conjectural, hypothetical, speculative, cosmic, intellectual, mental, spiritual, ethereal, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unsubstantial, impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible, impractical, romantic, transcendent, transcendental, unreal, utopian, visionary, expressionist, expressionistic, impressionist, impressionistic

Near Antonyms of Abstract

material, physical, appreciable, detectable, discernible, noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, sensible, substantial, tangible, visible, defined, definite, distinct, actual, factual, real, lifelike, natural, amplification, enlargement, expansion, addendum, supplement, concentrate, focus, elongate, extend

Word Forms of Abstract

Inflections: abstracted, abstracting, abstracts

Derived words: abstractly (adverb), abstractness (noun), abstractable (adjective), abstractor (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Abstract

Middle English, "withdrawn, removed, abstruse, extracted from a longer work, (of nouns in grammar) not concrete," borrowed from Medieval Latin abstractus "removed, secluded, incorporeal, universal, extracted from a larger work, summarized," going back to Latin, past participle of abstrahere "to remove forcibly, turn aside, divert," from abs- (variant of ab- ab- before c- and t-) + trahere "to drag, draw, take along," of uncertain origin

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Abstract

Words & Phrases Containing Abstract

abstract algebra, abstract expressionism, abstract of title, in the abstract

Frequently Asked Questions about Abstract

What does "Abstract" mean?

"Abstract" means relating to or involving general ideas or qualities rather than an actual object, person, etc.. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: relating to or involving general ideas or qualities rather than an actual object, person, etc.. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Abstract"?

Other words for "Abstract" include conceptual, ideal, ideational, metaphysical, notional, theoretical, nonfigurative and nonobjective. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abstract" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abstract"?

There are 139 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abstract". Common alternatives include conceptual, ideal, ideational, metaphysical, notional, theoretical, nonfigurative, nonobjective, nonrealistic and nonrepresentational.

What is the opposite of "Abstract"?

Antonyms of "Abstract" include concrete, nonabstract, figurative, naturalistic, objective, realistic and representational. Near antonyms include material, physical, appreciable and detectable.

How do you use "Abstract" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abstract" in a sentence: "the book deals with abstract matters such as honesty and integrity on the job as well as practical subjects such as asking for a raise"; "Cubism is a style of abstract art in which natural forms are broken up into geometric shapes"; "the scientist wrote a bare-bones abstract of his research and conclusions".

Is "Abstract" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Abstract" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Abstract" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Abstract" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Abstract"?

"Abstract" is pronounced /ab-ˈstrakt/ as an adjective and /ˈab-ˌstrakt/ as a noun and divided into syllables as ab·stract.