# abstractiveness

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abstractiveness
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the quality of being difficult to understand or too general to be useful. It describes ideas or writing that is far removed from real life.

For teachers: the quality of being abstract or removed from concrete reality. Often used to describe theoretical concepts that lack practical application or clarity.

## Examples

- The professor criticized the paper for its high level of abstractiveness.
- The committee rejected the proposal because the author's abstractiveness made it impossible to identify a clear plan for implementation.
- While the theory is mathematically sound, its extreme abstractiveness prevents it from being applied to real-world engineering problems where physical constraints are paramount.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.