Which of the following is an abstract noun?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:

Abstract nouns are words that refer to things that cannot be perceived by the five senses—sight, smell, hearing, taste, or touch. They denote concepts, qualities, states, ideas, emotions, or attributes. The term "experience" fits this definition precisely because it refers to the knowledge or skill gained over time through involvement in or exposure to a particular thing or event. You cannot physically touch, see, or hold an experience; rather, it is a non-material concept that exists only in the mind and memory. Experience is an accumulation of mental and emotional engagements, making it an abstract quality of a person's life and learning, thus solidifying its status as an abstract noun. In grammar, abstract nouns contrast sharply with concrete nouns, which name things that are tangible and physical. Furthermore, "Experience" can be either countable (e.g., "three unique experiences") or uncountable (e.g., "gained a lot of experience"), but its core meaning remains non-material and conceptual, placing it firmly in the abstract category.

The incorrect option is 1:
"Crowd" is a collective noun. A collective noun names a group of people, animals, or things considered as one unit. Although you can't touch the collective idea of a crowd, you can see and observe the individual people who make up the crowd, and therefore, "crowd" names a tangible collection of concrete objects (people).

The incorrect option is 2:
Similar to a crowd, "Gang" is also a collective noun. It refers to a specific group of people acting together, often with a common purpose. Since the members of a gang are tangible people who can be seen and touched, "gang" is a collective noun and not an abstract noun.

The incorrect option is 3:
"Student" is a common noun and specifically a concrete noun. A student is a person—a tangible entity who can be seen, heard, and touched. Concrete nouns refer to physical things, people, or places that exist in the material world, which is the direct opposite of what an abstract noun represents.