abstraction
/æbˈstræk.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
the act of thinking about something in a general way, not about small details. It is often used in academic, design, and philosophical writing.
- His explanation moved from detail to abstraction.
- Abstract art uses abstraction well.
- We need a higher level of abstraction here.
- 2.
an idea, theory, or work that is not tied to a real, physical thing. It can feel distant from everyday life.
- The plan is an abstraction until we test it.
- Math often deals with abstractions.
- For her, justice was not an abstraction.
Adinary Nuance
Abstraction is more general than idea and more formal than thought. It often suggests a step away from real examples, especially in academic, artistic, or technical contexts. Writers choose it when they want to sound precise and intellectual, not casual.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự trừu tượng
- Spanish
- abstracción
- Chinese
- 抽象
- Japanese
- 抽象
- Korean
- 추상
Etymology
From Late Latin abstractio, from Latin abstrahere meaning “to draw away.” The word entered English through French in the Middle Ages and became common in learned writing.
Common phrases
a level of abstractionat a high level of abstractionartistic abstractionabstraction from reality
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is abstraction a formal word?
- Yes. It is common in academic, technical, and formal writing.
- What is the difference between abstraction and abstract?
- Abstraction is the noun. Abstract is usually the adjective, or sometimes a noun for a summary.
- Can I use abstraction in everyday speech?
- Yes, but it sounds more learned than casual. People use it most in study or work.
- Is abstraction the same as concept?
- Not exactly. A concept is a general idea. An abstraction often means a more removed or less concrete idea.