# abstractly

/ɐbstɹˈæktli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

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

## Definition

in a way that is not connected to a specific person, place, or thing. You use this when talking about ideas or general rules rather than real objects.

For teachers: in a manner that is not tied to specific instances or concrete realities. Often describes thinking or reasoning that deals with general concepts rather than particular facts.

## Examples

- He thinks about the problem abstractly.
- The artist painted the landscape abstractly, using colors and shapes to represent the feeling of the place rather than its exact appearance.
- While the theory is sound when viewed abstractly, applying it to real-world markets often reveals unforeseen complexities that the original model failed to account for.

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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.