Abstract meaning

What does “abstract” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“abstract” is a noun, verb and adjective with 9 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance.

abstract

noun

  1. a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

    “he loved her only in the abstract--not in person”

    Synonymsabstraction
  2. a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

verb

  1. consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically

  2. make off with belongings of others

  3. consider apart from a particular case or instance

    “Let's abstract away from this particular example”

  4. give an abstract (of)

adjective

  1. existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment

    “abstract words like `truth' and `justice'”

    Oppositesconcrete
  2. not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature

    “a large abstract painting”

  3. dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention

    “abstract reasoning”

    “abstract science”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University