# noun

/ˈnaʊn/ (US) · /nˈaʊn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/noun
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. computing object

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

an object in a computer program that you can do something to.

For teachers: an entity within a user interface or programming environment to which an action or transformation is applied.

- In this software, you select the noun first and then choose an action from the menu.
- The system architecture follows a noun-verb interaction model, where the user first identifies the target object before selecting the appropriate command.

### 3. to make into a noun

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to change a word from another part of speech into a noun.

For teachers: to convert a word belonging to another lexical category into a noun through functional shift or affixation.

- People often noun verbs in office talk, like saying 'a big ask'.
- The tendency to noun adjectives is a common feature of certain academic registers, though it can lead to prose that feels overly dense.

## Examples

- The words "apple" and "car" are common nouns.
- When learning a new language, students often memorize lists of basic nouns before moving on to complex verbs.
- In English grammar, a noun can function not only as a subject or direct object, but also as an appositive that renames another noun right beside it.

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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.