abstract idea
An 'abstract idea' refers to a concept that exists in thought but not in physical form, often dealing with general principles or qualities.
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Definition
B2General
(common)A thought or concept that exists only in the mind and does not have a physical or tangible form.
Example
- Justice is an abstract idea that guides our understanding of fairness.
- Love, as an abstract idea, can be difficult to define precisely.
C1Philosophy
(academic, technical)A mental construct that is independent of any specific physical instance, often used to discuss general principles or qualities.
Example
- Plato's theory of forms posits that abstract ideas are the truest reality.
C1Mathematics
(technical, academic)A theoretical notion representing a general principle or quality, not directly observable or measurable.
Example
- The concept of infinity is an abstract idea in mathematics.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "abstract idea":