Abstract Concepts
Ideas, values and the vocabulary for talking about them.
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69 words
Definitions in: English- 1truthnounneutral
Used for the quality of being true or for facts that accord with reality
Sooner or later, the truth always comes out.
- 2justicenounneutral
Used for fairness in how people are treated and for the legal system
The family fought for years to get justice for their son.
- 3freedomnounneutral
Used for the state of being free to act, speak, or think as one wants
Working from home gave her the freedom to plan her own day.
- 4purposenounneutral
Used for the reason something exists or a sense of direction in life
After retiring, he struggled to find a sense of purpose.
- 5identitynounneutral
Used for the qualities and beliefs that make a person or group who they are
Moving abroad made her question her own identity.
- 6reasonnounneutral
Used for the human capacity for logical, rational thought (uncountable)
He's beyond reason when he gets angry like that.
- 7opinionnounneutral
Used for a personal view or judgment not necessarily based on fact
In my opinion, the original plan was much better.
- 8beliefnounneutral
Used for acceptance that something is true or for confidence in something
It's my firm belief that honesty pays off in the end.
- 9doubtnounneutral
Used for a feeling of uncertainty about the truth or reliability of something
There's no doubt in my mind that she'll succeed.
- 10couragenounneutral
Used for the ability to face danger, difficulty, or pain despite fear
It took real courage to admit he was wrong in front of everyone.
- 11patiencenounneutral
Used for the capacity to accept delay or difficulty without getting upset
Teaching young children requires a lot of patience.
- 12wisdomnounneutral
Used for the quality of having good judgment based on knowledge and experience
With age comes a certain amount of wisdom.
- 13honestynounneutral
Used for the quality of being truthful and sincere
I appreciate your honesty, even when the news is bad.
- 14successnounneutral
Used for the achievement of a desired aim or a high level of accomplishment
The launch was a huge success, far beyond our expectations.
- 15failurenounneutral
Used for a lack of success or an unsuccessful person or thing
He learned more from his failures than from his successes.
- 16experiencenounneutral
Used for knowledge or skill gained over time, or a particular event one lives through
She has years of experience in marketing.
- 17opportunitynounneutral
Used for a favorable set of circumstances that makes something possible
This job is a great opportunity to learn new skills.
- 18influencenounneutral
Used for the power to affect people, things, or events indirectly
Her teacher had a huge influence on her career choices.
- 19consequencenounneutral
Used for a result or effect of an action or condition
You'll have to face the consequences of your decision.
- 20meaningnounneutral
Used for the significance, purpose, or sense behind something
She spent her life searching for the meaning of it all.
- 21knowledgenounneutral
Used for information, facts, and understanding acquired through learning
Her knowledge of the subject is truly impressive.
- 22perspectivenounneutral
Used for a particular way of viewing or thinking about something
Travelling really gave me a fresh perspective on life.
- 23assumptionnounneutral
Used for something accepted as true without proof
You're making a lot of assumptions about how I feel.
- 24perceptionnounneutral
Used for the way something is understood or interpreted, or the ability to notice
There's a public perception that politicians can't be trusted.
- 25judgmentnounneutral
Used for the ability to make sensible decisions or an opinion formed after consideration
I trust her judgment on these matters completely.
- 26insightnounneutral
Used for a deep and accurate understanding of something
The book offers fascinating insight into how the brain works.
- 27intuitionnounneutral
Used for the ability to understand something immediately without conscious reasoning
My intuition told me something was wrong, and I was right.
- 28principlenounneutral
Used for a fundamental rule, belief, or moral standard guiding behavior
She refused to lie on principle.
- 29valuenounneutral
Used in the plural for the moral principles and standards a person holds
They raised their kids with strong family values.
- 30conceptnounneutral
Used for an abstract idea or general notion
The concept of time is hard to explain to a small child.
- 31theorynounneutral
Used for a system of ideas explaining something, or an idea that is not yet proven
In theory, the plan should work perfectly.
- 32motivationnounneutral
Used for the reason or desire that drives someone to act
I just can't find the motivation to go to the gym today.
- 33intentionnounneutral
Used for an aim or plan that someone has in mind
I had every intention of calling you back, I swear.
- 34potentialnounneutral
Used for latent qualities or abilities that may be developed in the future
The young player has enormous potential.
- 35significancenounneutral
Used for the importance or meaning of something
At the time, I didn't understand the significance of what she'd said.
- 36relevancenounneutral
Used for the quality of being connected or important to a matter at hand
I don't see the relevance of that question.
- 37tendencynounneutral
Used for an inclination to behave or happen in a particular way
He has a tendency to interrupt people when he's excited.
- 38certaintynounneutral
Used for firm conviction or a thing that is definitely true
I can't say with any certainty when she'll arrive.
- 39uncertaintynounneutral
Used for a state of doubt or the condition of not being known
There's a lot of uncertainty about the future of the company.
- 40awarenessnounneutral
Used for knowledge or perception of a situation or fact
The campaign aims to raise awareness of mental health issues.
- 41mindsetnounneutral
Used for an established set of attitudes or a way of thinking
You need a positive mindset to get through tough times.
- 42attitudenounneutral
Used for a settled way of thinking or feeling about something
Her positive attitude makes a real difference to the team.
- 43ambitionnounneutral
Used for a strong desire to achieve something or for a particular goal
Her lifelong ambition was to become a doctor.
- 44determinationnounneutral
Used for firmness of purpose and the resolve to keep going
It was sheer determination that got her through medical school.
- 45loyaltynounneutral
Used for faithfulness and strong support for a person, group, or cause
Her loyalty to her old friends never wavered.
- 46tolerancenounneutral
Used for the willingness to accept beliefs or behavior different from one's own
A healthy society depends on tolerance of different views.
- 47dignitynounneutral
Used for the state of being worthy of honor and respect
She faced her illness with remarkable dignity.
- 48maturitynounneutral
Used for the state of being fully developed emotionally or mentally
She handled the criticism with surprising maturity.
- 49achievementnounneutral
Used for something accomplished, especially through effort or skill
Winning the award was the greatest achievement of her career.
- 50progressnounneutral
Used for forward movement toward a goal or general improvement
We're making good progress on the new project.
- 51responsibilitynounneutral
Used for a duty to deal with something or the state of being accountable
Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility.
- 52expectationnounneutral
Used for a strong belief that something will happen or should be a certain way
The film didn't live up to my expectations.
- 53prioritynounneutral
Used for something regarded as more important than others
Right now, my main priority is finishing my degree.
- 54traitnounneutral
Used for a distinguishing quality or characteristic of a person
Generosity is one of her most attractive traits.
- 55circumstancenounneutral
Used for a fact or condition connected with an event or situation (often plural)
Under the circumstances, I think you did the right thing.
- 56factornounneutral
Used for one of the elements that contributes to a result
Cost was the deciding factor in our choice.
- 57realitynounneutral
Used for the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to ideals or imagination
In reality, the job was nothing like the description.
- 58existencenounneutral
Used for the fact or state of being, or a way of living
Scientists are still searching for proof of the planet's existence.
- 59willpowernounneutral
Used for the ability to control one's impulses and stay determined
It took a lot of willpower to give up smoking.
- 60obstaclenounneutral
Used figuratively for something that blocks progress toward a goal
The biggest obstacle to the deal was the price.
- 61setbacknounneutral
Used for a problem that delays or reverses progress
Losing the contract was a major setback for the company.
- 62drawbacknounneutral
Used for a disadvantage or negative aspect of something
The main drawback of the job is the long commute.
- 63competencenounneutral
Used for the ability to do something successfully or efficiently
No one doubts her competence as a manager.
- 64sinceritynounneutral
Used for the quality of being genuine and free from pretense
I don't doubt the sincerity of her apology.
- 65coherencenounformal
Used for the quality of being logical, consistent, and well organized
The essay lacks coherence and jumps from idea to idea.
- 66flexibilitynounneutral
Used figuratively for the willingness or ability to adapt to change
This job offers a lot of flexibility in terms of hours.
- 67logicnounneutral
Used for a system of reasoning or the principles of valid inference
I can't follow the logic of his argument at all.
- 68comprehensionnounneutral
Used for the ability or action of understanding something
The sheer scale of the universe is beyond human comprehension.
- 69judgementnounneutralBritish English
British English spelling of 'judgment', the ability to make considered decisions; a conclusion or opinion.
I trust her judgement on important matters.
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The hardest things to say are often the least concrete, and this pack gives you the words for them. Learn the intellectual vocabulary behind philosophy and argument – truth, justice, freedom, purpose – and the language you need to reason out loud. Aimed high, it equips you to debate ideas, build a nuanced case and put precise thought into precise words.