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

Used when talking about art that does not represent recognizable objects or scenes. It focuses on shapes, colors, and forms.

• The artist is known for his abstract paintings
• Abstract art often leaves more to the viewer's imagination