A noun is one of the eight main parts of speech in the English language. It is any word that occurs as the subject of a verb or clause, object of a verb in a sentence, or the object of a preposition. Generally, they are names of things, ideas, and concepts. They come in many types. Proper nouns are names of places, people and specific things, while common nouns are names given to general classes of things. Nouns can be classified as countable or uncountable, depending on whether they can be quantified. Abstract nouns are words that signify intangible ideas, which cannot be experienced directly through the five senses, but can only be felt or experienced. They are words for feelings, qualities and all other kinds of abstract concepts. Often, there tends to be a confusion between what concrete and abstract nouns are. Concrete nouns denote material things that can actually be seen, felt, touched, tasted, and heard. So if the name signifies something that cannot be felt through direct sensory experience, you have an abstract noun. On the other hand, if you can perceive it through the senses, it's a concrete noun. Happiness is classified as an abstract noun but some people will argue that it can be visible enough on people's faces to be seen as a concrete noun. However, a counterargument could be made that many people who look happy, may not be so, as what we are talking about is a state of mind here. When you are talking about a state of mind, an idea, an emotion and a feeling, you are dealing with an abstract noun. Language is man's greatest invention. It developed as the cerebrum of the human brain evolved over the course of evolution. It made thinking on an abstract level possible. The range of words in our languages are testimony to the depth and reach of human thought. The intangible ideas, emotions, and concepts that evolve out of higher thought are nouns of the abstract kind. They are words that convey the complex nuances of the workings of a human mind. More than explanations, a list of abstract nouns will make it simpler for you to understand them. Here it is.

Abstract Nouns
Inspiration	Depression	Love	Hate
Courage	Curiosity	Excitement	Desperation
Adventure	Amazement	Faith	Ego
Failure	Awe	Wisdom	Freedom
Evil	Justice	Forgiveness	Loyalty
Romance	Elegance	Infatuation	Imagination
Honesty	Determination	Humor	Humility
Hope	Despair	Honor	Pride
Redemption	Hurt	Peace	Trust
Patience	Pain	Helplessness	Pleasure
Perseverance	Graciousness	Gratitude	Grace
Grief	Maturity	Fascination	Serendipity
Friendship	Brutality	Self-Control	Jealousy
Love	Compassion	Confusion	Vulnerability
Ability	Self-Esteem	Mastery	Pity
Rebellion	Euphoria	Perfection	Excellence
Success	Curiosity	Reality	Enthusiasm

These nouns are representative of all ideas that make us human. Without them, expression of our feelings and ideas would be impossible. Any grammatical concept is best understood through examples. The italicized and highlighted words in the following lines are abstract nouns. Abstract nouns identify all the words that collectively make the subjective human experience. All the ideas that make up our culture belong to this noun category. Despite being labeled to be abstract, they are the most real concepts for most of us.