English: nouns: concrete vs abstract
Tutoring English, definitions are useful. The tutor distinguishes between two types of nouns.
Concrete noun: a noun that can be perceived with one of the five senses. Therefore, book, thud (from something hitting the ground), aroma (as from coffee), pin-prick (to the skin), and sourness (the taste of a lemon) are all concrete nouns.
Abstract noun: an idea or feeling that can’t be experienced with one of the five senses. Fear and contentment are two examples.
An interesting point is that, while concrete nouns seem more primitive, they are generally preferred by skillful writers and English academics. The reason to prefer concrete nouns is that they can be used as symbols, whereas abstract nouns cannot.
HTH:)
Source:
Hodges, Horner, et al. Harbrace Handbook for Canadians, sixth ed. Scarborough: Nelson Education, 2003.
Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.