abstractadjective

Abstract adjectives are a semantic category of adjectives that denote qualities, states, or relations that are not directly perceivable by the senses. They describe domains such as morality, economics, culture, or thought rather than physical properties. Common examples include ethical, economic, cultural, intellectual, emotional, political, and theoretical.

In contrast to concrete adjectives, which express observable attributes (such as color, size, or texture), abstract adjectives focus on intangible aspects. The boundary between abstract and concrete can blur, depending on context; for instance, large in large-scale can be abstract in context, while large in a block is concrete.

Formation and usage: Abstract adjectives often derive from abstract nouns or noun-based bases through suffixes such as -ic, -al, -ive, -ous, or -y, and they frequently modify abstract nouns (economic policy, moral issue) or appear predicatively (The idea is theoretical). They commonly carry evaluative or normative nuance (ethical concerns, cultural significance).

Applications: In academic, policy, and literary contexts, abstract adjectives help frame discussions around ideas, ideologies, or systemic properties without asserting tangible attributes. They enable discourse about domains, relationships, or states that transcend immediate perception.

Limitations: The label abstract adjective is not universally standardized across grammars; some grammars classify adjectives by semantic fields rather than fixed categories. Many words can be used in both abstract and concrete senses depending on context.

See also: adjectives; abstract noun; concrete and abstract semantics; derivational morphology.