AbstractDescribes art or ideas not copied from real-world objects. is a word with several meaningsDifferent senses or interpretations of a word or expression.. It can describe art or ideas that do not copy real objects, a short summary, a way of thinking about ideas without examples, or the act of taking something away. The most common everyday use is the adjective meaning “not concretePhysical, specific, and easy to point to in reality.” or “not representing real things directly.”
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈæbstrækt/
Easy pronunciation: AB-strakt (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Adjective meaning not showing real things in a realistic way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Abstract Meaning
not showing real things in a realistic way
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature
Example: The gallery featured a large abstract painting.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- nonfigurative — A close match for art that does not show realistic objects.
- nonobjective — Used for art that does not represent real objects.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Abstract
Meaning 2
focused on ideas, not on practical use
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention
Example: They discussed the problem in abstract terms.
Meaning 3
not physical; existing as an idea
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment
Example: Words like truth and justice are abstract concepts.
Meaning 4
a short summary of the main points
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
Example: She wrote an abstract for her research paper.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- outline — A practical synonym when it means a summary.
- precis — A close synonym for a concise summary.
- synopsis — Works when abstract means a brief summary.
Meaning 5
an idea considered apart from any real example
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Example: We can think of justice in the abstract.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- abstraction — The direct noun form for an idea considered separately from examples.
Meaning 6
steal something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: make off with belongings of others
Example: The thief tried to purloin the wallet from his bag.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- cabbage — Slangy and not as general as abstract; still works as a theft synonym in some contexts.
- filch — Means to steal, often in a sneaky way.
- hook — Can mean steal in slang, but is less precise and more context-dependent.
- lift — Common informal synonym for steal.
- nobble — Can mean steal, especially in British usage, but is less standard.
- pilfer — Means to steal small amounts or items.
- pinch — Informal synonym for steal.
- purloin — Means to steal, often in a slightly formal or humorous style.
- snarf — Informal slang for taking or stealing; less standard.
- sneak — Used in some slang contexts for stealing, but it is broader and can mean moving quietly.
- swipe — Common informal synonym for steal.
Meaning 7
think about something in general, not with a real example
Part of speech: verb
Definition: consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
Example: Try to abstract from the details and focus on the main idea.
Meaning 8
leave out the specific example and look at the general idea
Part of speech: verb
Definition: consider apart from a particular case or instance
Example: Let's abstract away from this particular example.
Meaning 9
summarize something briefly
Part of speech: verb
Definition: give an abstract (of)
Example: The editor asked her to abstract the article for the conference booklet.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Abstract Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- nonfigurative
- nonobjective
a short summary
- outline
- precis
- synopsis
an idea considered apart from any specific example
- abstraction
to steal
- filch
- lift
- pilfer
- pinch
- purloin
- swipe
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using abstract to mean "summary" in the adjective sense; the summary meaning is the noun abstract.
- Mixing up abstract art with abstract ideas; these are related but different senses.
- Assuming abstract always means "difficult"; it often means non-physical, general, or non-representational.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does abstract mean in art?
In art, abstract means not showing people, objects, or scenes in a realistic way.
What is an abstract in writing?
An abstract is a short summary of the main points of a paper, article, or study.
Can abstract be a verb?
Yes. As a verb, it can mean to summarize briefly, to think about something in general terms, or to steal in older or less common uses.
What is the difference between abstract and concrete?
Abstract refers to ideas, qualities, or representations that are not physical or not realistic; concrete refers to things that are real, specific, and physical.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.