abstract

A short piece of writing that gives the main points of a longer text.

• Read the abstract first.
• She wrote an abstract for her research paper.
• The journal requires abstracts of fewer than two hundred words.

How to use it: abstract of something (The abstract of the paper explains the main findings.)

Similar words: summary, overview

Common phrases: research abstract, write an abstract, abstract of something, published abstract

A picture or other artwork made with shapes and colors that do not clearly show real things.

• She painted a bright abstract.
• Two abstracts hang above the sofa.
• The gallery sold his latest abstract yesterday.

Similar words: abstract artwork

Common phrases: colorful abstract, paint an abstract

An idea or word for a quality, rather than a thing you can see or touch.

• Justice is an abstract.
• The philosopher discussed several abstracts, including beauty and truth.
• We find it easier to understand objects than abstracts.

Similar words: abstraction, concept

Common phrases: an abstract, philosophical abstract

A powder made from a substance used as medicine and mixed with milk sugar.

• The pharmacist prepared an abstract.
• The abstract contained a plant extract and lactose.
• These abstracts were once used as medicines.

Common phrases: medicinal abstract, prepare an abstract

Relating to ideas or qualities rather than things you can see or touch.

• Freedom is an abstract idea.
• Children sometimes struggle with abstract concepts.
• Her writing turns abstract thoughts into clear pictures.

Similar words: conceptual

Opposites: concrete

Common phrases: abstract idea, abstract concept, abstract thought

Describing something in a general way, without focusing on particular examples or details.

• We discussed the abstract principle first.
• The model gives an abstract description of the system.
• Can you explain this abstract rule with an example?

Similar words: general

Opposites: specific

Common phrases: abstract principle, abstract model, abstract description

Concerned with ideas rather than real situations or practical use.

• The debate was too abstract.
• We need practical answers to these abstract questions.
• His abstract theory has little use in everyday life.

Similar words: theoretical, academic

Opposites: practical

Common phrases: abstract discussion, abstract theory, abstract argument

Describing a quality on its own, separately from the thing that has it.

• The analysis treats redness as an abstract property.
• The abstract term names the quality alone.
• An abstract description separates the attribute from its object.

Similar words: attributive, ascriptive

Common phrases: abstract property, abstract quality, abstract term