Abstract: meaning, definitions and examples

Talking about ideas or art that are not physical or concrete.

• The painting is very abstract, with lots of colors and shapes that don't form a clear picture
• She prefers abstract thinking over practical solutions

Describing ideas related to concepts or philosophy, often used in art, education, or theory.

• His conceptual approach to the problem helped to identify the root cause
• The exhibit featured conceptual art that challenged traditional boundaries

Used when discussing ideas that are based on theory rather than practical applications, often in scientific or academic contexts.

• Though still theoretical, the scientist's work has opened up new possibilities for energy research
• We focused on the theoretical aspects of the problem before designing the experiment

Describing things that are not physical or tangible, often used in academic or technical discussions.

• We discussed non-concrete elements like love and happiness during the psychology class
• Non-concrete evidence can be harder to prove in court

Usually used in academic or scientific settings to provide a brief summary of a research paper or article. It is often found at the beginning of a document and gives a concise overview of the content.

• The abstract of the research paper summarizes the key findings and methodologies used in the study

Commonly used in everyday settings as well as in business and academic environments. A summary refers to a brief statement or account of the main points of something. It is versatile and can apply to a wide range of contexts.

• After watching the movie, she gave me a quick summary of the plot
• The meeting concluded with a summary of the action items

Most often used in relation to books, movies, and plays. It provides a concise summary of the main plot and themes, without going into too much detail.

• The back cover of the book includes a brief synopsis that captured my interest immediately
• Before watching the movie, I read the synopsis to know what it's about

Suitable for general use when you need to provide a broad summary of any topic, project, or report. It is typically more high-level and less detailed than an abstract.

• Before diving into the specifics, let’s give an overview of the new project plan