Concrete Noun — Definition and Examples

What is a concrete noun?

A concrete noun is a person, place, or something material that can be observed by one of the five senses. These nouns are physically perceived and non-abstract.

In the English language, concrete nouns can also double as the following different types of nouns:

• Proper nouns: Jones, New York, Twizzlers
• Common nouns: baby, forest, snow
• Countable nouns: birds, houses, leaves
• Uncountable nouns: milk, oil, sugar
• Collective nouns: family, choir, group

Concrete words follow standard English grammar conventions and do not require capitalization unless they are also proper nouns.

Concrete noun examples

The following sentences incorporate at least one example of a concrete noun:

Sight:

• My neighbor's cat does not get along with my dog.
• Jim needed to buy a new suit for the interview.
• Peggy placed the flowers on the table.

Sound:

• After a flash of lightning came the crash of thunder.
• Mark could hear the car's radio from three blocks away.
• The referee blew her whistle to stop the play.

Touch:

• The sandpaper was rough enough to remove the scuff marks.
• Rita loved walking on the beach with the sand between her toes.
• Todd preferred the feeling of silk over cotton.

Taste:

• Wendy found the medicine to be quite bitter.
• The apple was far too tart to eat.
• Paul enjoyed the savory steak over the sweet dessert.

Smell:

• The smell of perfume made its way around the entire room.
• The flowers gave the office a pleasant aroma.
• Tina knew spring had started when she smelled the fresh-cut grass.

Concrete vs. abstract noun

Abstract nouns cannot be observed by the five senses. Abstract nouns refer to emotions, states of being, concepts, events, and qualities. A concrete noun is the opposite of an abstract noun and can be observed through sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell. Examples of abstract nouns include the following:

• Emotions: happiness; sadness
• States of being: peace; misery
• Concepts: charity; motivation
• Events: birthday; past; present; future
• Qualities: generosity; honesty