essay definition of noun

• Dictionaries home
• American English
• Collocations
• German-English
• Grammar home
• Practical English Usage
• Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
• Word Lists home
• My Word Lists
• Recent additions
• Resources home
• Text Checker

Definition of essay noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• I have to write an essay this weekend.
• essay on something an essay on the causes of the First World War
• essay about somebody/something Have you done your essay about Napoleon yet?
• in an essay He made some very good points in his essay.
• Essays handed in late will not be accepted.
• Have you done your essay yet?
• He concludes the essay by calling for a corrective.
• I finished my essay about 10 o'clock last night!
• Lunch was the only time she could finish her essay assignment.
• We have to write an essay on the environment.
• You have to answer 3 out of 8 essay questions in the exam.
• the teenage winner of an essay contest
• We have to write an essay on the causes of the First World War.
• be entitled something
• be titled something
• address something
• in an/​the essay
• essay about

Want to learn more?

Find out which words work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

Other results

Nearby words.

Love You English

What is a Noun? Definition, Types & Examples

What is a noun definition, types & examples.

Nouns are one of the basic building blocks of language .

You use them daily, likely thousands of times, without even thinking about it.

But what exactly is a noun?

Let’s take a closer look at the definition, types, and examples to really understand these ubiquitous words .

Definition of a Noun

At its most basic, a noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.

Nouns are one of the main parts of speech, along with verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions , prepositions, and interjections.

Some examples of common nouns are:

Person: teacher, firefighter, president Place: park, city, bedroom Thing: book, apple, chair Idea: love, freedom, happiness

As you can see, nouns can be something concrete like a physical object, or something abstract like a concept or feeling.

They allow us to define and discuss the world around us.

Types of Nouns

While all nouns refer to a person, place, thing or idea, there are actually many different types of nouns that can be categorized in various ways.

Here are some of the main types:

Proper nouns and common nouns.

One of the most basic distinctions is between proper nouns and common nouns.

Proper nouns are the specific names of people, places, organizations or certain things. They are capitalized.

Some examples:

People: John, Mary, Dr. Roberts Places: Chicago, California, Sahara Desert Organizations: Google, United Nations, Yankees Things: Bible, Titanic, Big Ben

Common nouns are the general words for people, places, things or ideas.

They are not capitalized unless they start a sentence.

For example:

People: man, woman, teacher Places: city, park, country Things: book, car, lamp Ideas: love, freedom, beauty

More cool topics:

• Top 10 Collocations in English
• 100+ English Collocations to Sound More Fluent
• 30 Common English Collocations You Should Know
• Mastering English Collocation Sentences

Count Nouns and Non-Count Nouns

Another key distinction is between count nouns and non-count nouns.

Count nouns refer to something you can count with numbers.

They have both singular and plural forms:

Singular: book, apple, house

Plural: books, apples, houses

Non-count nouns (sometimes called “mass nouns”) refer to things that cannot be counted.

They have no plural form:

Water, air, rice, flour, happiness

So, you can have “two books” or “three houses”, but not “three waters” or “four airs”.

With non-count nouns, you would say something like “ a bottle of water ” or “ a gust of air “.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals or things.

Some examples are:

Family, team, herd, flock, bunch

You can use a singular verb or plural verb with collective nouns depending on if you are referring to the group as one unit or individual members.

The family is going to the park.

The family are arguing with each other.

Abstract Nouns

We’ve already mentioned abstract nouns briefly.

These are nouns for ideas, qualities, conditions or concepts that cannot be experienced through the five senses.

Freedom, truth, happiness, education, democracy

Concrete Nouns

In contrast to abstract nouns , concrete nouns refer to physical objects or things that can be experienced with the five senses:

Book, tree, mountain, pencil, clock

Compound Nouns

A compound noun is made up of two or more words joined together into a single noun:

Toothbrush, milkshake, wallpaper, textbook, bookcase

Possessive Nouns

Possessive nouns show ownership or possession. They are formed by adding an apostrophe and sometimes the letter “s”:

Mary’s book, the dog’s bone, James’ hat, the cats’ toys

That covers most of the main types of nouns you’ll encounter.

As you can see, there is quite a variety! Nouns allow language to classify and identify everything in the world around us.

Examples of Nouns in Sentences

Let’s look at some example sentences using different types of nouns:

The cat chased the mouse under the sofa. (common nouns)

Dr. Smith delivered my sister’s baby at New York Presbyterian Hospital. (proper nouns)

I drank two glasses of milk this morning. (count and non-count nouns)

The flock of birds flew over the city skyline. (collective noun)

Freedom and democracy are core American values. ( abstract nouns )

My toothbrush is getting old – I need to buy a new one. (compound noun)

Many college students lack sufficient sleep. (non-count and abstract nouns )

Despite the rainstorm, the family picnic was a success. (collective and common nouns)

The boss’s assistant scheduled all his appointments. (possessive noun)

I hope these examples help cement your understanding of how nouns work and all the different types.

Nouns are integral to communication , so take the time to master them.

Why Nouns Are Important

Nouns are really important when we communicate, whether it’s speaking or writing. They help us describe things and express our thoughts.

Can you imagine a world without nouns? It would be super tough to get our messages across!

Nouns allow us to express complex ideas in just one word. For example, instead of saying “the round, red fruit that grows on trees,” we can simply say “apple.”

Abstract nouns , such as freedom and compassion, reflect our beliefs and values. They influence how we understand the world.

Nouns include everything from physical objects to big concepts. They’re essential for discussing everything around us.

Knowing what a noun is and how to use various kinds of nouns is really important for good communication , whether you’re writing or talking.

Nouns might seem simple, but they come in many different types and have different uses that are key to understanding for better communication .

By learning about nouns and how to use them, you’ll improve your communication skills and get a better handle on the language .

____________________

Check out these awesome grammar books i recommend:.

• High School English Gram & Comp – by WREN & MARTIN
• English Grammar in Use Book with Answers: A Self-study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Learners of English
• OXFORD ENGLISH GRAMMAR COURSE ADVANCED WITH KEY (WITH EBOOK)
• English Grammar (Language Workbooks) 
• English Grammar: The Basics: The Basics

Related Posts

Understanding the Differences: “Nonetheless” vs. “Nevertheless”

Understanding the Small Differences: “Nonetheless” vs. “Nevertheless” The English language is like a complex puzzle, where some words and phrases seem to…

Quantifiers in English and How to Use Them

What Are Quantifiers and How Are They Used in English? In English grammar, quantifiers are super important because they help us talk…

What Is a Gerund? Gerund Definition and Examples

What Is a Gerund? Gerund Definition and Examples In the complex world of English grammar, one of the most interesting and flexible…

Important English Grammar Rules

Important English Grammar Rules Hello everyone, Good grammar is important for clear communication in writing and speaking. Following the basic rules of…

What Are Superlative Adjectives? Definition and Examples

What Are Superlative Adjectives? Definition and Examples In the world of language, adjectives are super important because they add excitement, detail, and…

Difference Between “Although” and “Even Though”

Difference Between “Although” and “Even Though” When learning English, you might come across phrases that seem similar but have slightly different meanings…

Words and phrases

Personal account.

• Access or purchase personal subscriptions
• Get our newsletter
• Save searches
• Set display preferences

Institutional access

Sign in with library card

Sign in with username / password

Recommend to your librarian

Institutional account management

Sign in as administrator on Oxford Academic

• Hide all quotations

What does the noun essay mean?

There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun essay , nine of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

essay has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the noun essay ?

How is the noun essay pronounced?

British english, u.s. english, where does the noun essay come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun essay is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for essay is from 1597, in the writing of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor, politician, and philosopher.

essay is a borrowing from French .

Etymons: French essai .

Nearby entries

• esrache, v. 1477
• esraj, n. 1921–
• ESRO, n. 1961–
• ess, n. 1540–
• -ess, suffix¹
• -ess, suffix²
• essamplerie, n. 1393
• essart, n. 1656–
• essart, v. 1675–
• essarting, n. a1821–
• essay, n. 1597–
• essay, v. 1483–
• essayal, n. 1837–
• essayer, n. 1611–
• essayette, n. 1877–
• essayfy, v. 1815–
• essay-hatch, n. 1721–
• essayical, adj. 1860–
• essaying, n. 1861–
• essaying, adj. 1641–
• essayish, adj. 1863–

Thank you for visiting Oxford English Dictionary

To continue reading, please sign in below or purchase a subscription. After purchasing, please sign in below to access the content.

Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for essay, n..

essay, n. was first published in 1891; not yet revised.

essay, n. was last modified in June 2024.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

• corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into essay, n. in June 2024.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1891)

• Find out more

OED Second Edition (1989)

• View essay, n. in OED Second Edition

Please submit your feedback for essay, n.

Please include your email address if you are happy to be contacted about your feedback. OUP will not use this email address for any other purpose.

Citation details

Factsheet for essay, n., browse entry.

What Are Nouns? Definition & Examples

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Map, Audrey Hepburn, longevity, orchestra, and beads. You might think these words have nothing in common, but they all belong to the category of nouns. I always thought nouns were both simple and complex, but always easy to explain.

So, what are nouns? What is the function of the noun? Learn the definition of a noun and its types and functions as I break it all down for you. I also provided an activity you can try to test your understanding. Let’s go!

What is a Noun?

Merriam Webster says a noun is pretty much anything that serves as a subject. English nouns can be found in every writing piece. I use them daily in both fiction and content writing. You even use them regularly when constructing emails or even sending a text. This part of speech names a person, place, thing, or idea. Some examples of noun words include toy, girl, doctor, birthday, and New York.

There are several forms of nouns, such as collective, abstract, concrete, and proper nouns. These words function as the subject, predicate nominative, direct object, or indirect object of a sentence. Some nouns even function as adjectives .

What are the Types of Nouns?

There are seven primary types of nouns in English grammar. Let’s go over them!

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are one of the categories of nouns that name a collection or a number of things, people, or animals in a sentence . Some collective noun examples include:

This type of noun may use a singular or plural verb, depending on the usage of nouns. Use singular verbs when the members of the group act as one. For example:

• The couple enjoys traveling to Morocco every year.
• The jury hasn’t reached a decision.

Use a plural verb if the members are acting separately.

• The couple use separate accounts for personal finances.
• The jury are having lunch with their families.

Try using different words if you can’t decide whether the collective noun requires plural or singular verb form. Here, I’ll give you an example. Instead of saying team, you can say members or players. Instead of saying a flock of birds, try birds.

Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns

An abstract noun is any word which names something intangible or not concrete. That means your physical senses cannot capture these abstract nouns because they are like ideas. Abstract nouns can also be concepts, events, or qualities.

I whipped up a list of abstract nouns for you:

• Indifference.
• Generosity.
• Perseverance.
• Motivation.
• Opportunity.
• Friendship.

Her, I’ll put them in some sentences so you can better understand.

• The players show extreme strength.
• Her horse’s beauty stands out among the others.
• Our friendship grew stronger after that one challenge.

A concrete noun is a type that the five senses can perceive. You can see, hear, feel, smell, or taste it.

Below are some concrete noun examples.

• Smartphones.
• Empire State Building.
• Air conditioner.

Here’s a sentence example.

• The teacher was kind enough to extend the deadline.

Here, the noun teacher is concrete because we can see or hear one. Make sense?

The distinction between the abstract and concrete nouns is more challenging than expected. For instance, laughter can be perceived by the five senses. However, many grammarians consider it an abstract noun.

Proper Nouns vs. Common Nouns

A proper noun names a specific person, object, place, or event. Instead of saying teacher, you can say Miss Jenkins. You can also say Olive Garden instead of restaurant. Here are some proper noun examples.

• Mount Everest.
• Boston Celtics.
• The University of Pennsylvania.
• South America.
• George Washington.
• The Supreme Court.
• Fifth Avenue.
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
• The Blue Danube.

A common noun names a generic person, place, or thing. Here are some common noun examples.

• anniversary.
• litigation.

Types of Common Nouns

A common noun or generic noun can be a concrete noun, abstract noun, or collective noun. I know, it seems like a lot of different types of nouns, but they each have their purpose. For example, the collective noun team is also a common noun. The same is true with freedom and doctor.

Countable Nouns vs. Uncountable Nouns

Count nouns or countable nouns are nouns that can be quantified or counted. For example, you can count an apple or apples. You can also quantify a cup or cups. Some countable noun examples are telescope, manager, ice cream, and song.

Countable nouns require a or an for their singular forms. For example:

• I found a pin under my bed.
• A haircut is all I need before going to Santorini.

You also use a and an for singular forms when writing negative sentences. For example:

• I don’t need a haircut.
• I cannot buy a bag.

Uncountable nouns, mass nouns, or non-countable nouns are a type of noun that cannot be quantified or counted. A non-countable noun is always singular. Therefore, it uses singular verbs.

Some uncountable noun examples include wisdom, water, information, equipment, and garbage. For example:

• There is no water in the pool.
• She needs evidence of your ethnographic work.
• I need to buy gym equipment to stay fit.

What is a Possessive Noun?

A possessive noun is a noun that shows ownership. These words usually have an apostrophe and s in the end. For instance, in the phrase grandmother’s cookies, grandmother’s is a possessive noun.

What is a Head Noun?

A head noun is a noun modified by other words in the noun phrase . Identifying it lets you know which indefinite article to use. For example, a non-countable noun requires the instead of a or an.

What is a Noun Clause?

Let’s discuss more complex types of nouns. A noun clause is one that functions as a noun. It usually starts with that, how, what, who, whom, which, where, and why. The italicized part in this example is a noun clause.

• I think that it happened .

What is a Gender-Specific Noun?

Gender-specific nouns refer specifically to male and female names. Here are some examples of masculine nouns and their corresponding feminine nouns.

• Father, mother.
• Prince, princess.
• Rooster, hen.
• Stallion, mare.

What are Verbal Nouns?

Verbal nouns are nouns that look like verbs. The main types of verbal nouns are infinitives and gerunds.

A gerund is a noun formed by using the -ing form of a verb. For example:

• Reading is my passion.

An infinitive is a verbal formed by using to + the base form of a verb. For example:

• To read is to learn.

Nouns as Subjects

A noun can function as a subject of a verb or the doer of an action. For example:

• Milo writes memoirs, essays, and romance fiction.

In this sentence, the proper noun Milo functions as the doer of the verb writes.

Nouns as Objects

A noun can even function as a direct object, object of verb, or the receiver of the action. Consider this sentence example.

• Raul drew a line .

The noun line receives the action drew . Line is the direct object of the sentence.

Nouns can also function as indirect objects or receivers of the direct object. For example:

• I offered Lorna a discount.

The noun Lorna receives the direct object discount. Therefore, Lorna is the indirect object of the sentence.

Nouns as Subject and Object Complements

A subjective complement is a noun function that follows a linking verb to describe the subject. Below is an example.

• Richard is an accountant .

In this sentence, the subject complement accountant identifies the subject, Richard.

Nouns can also function as object complements. An object complement follows a direct object to rename it. Below is an example.

• I saw Joan laughing at his joke .

Laughing at his joke is a noun phrase that starts with a gerund, laughing.

Appositive Nouns and Nouns as Modifiers

An appositive noun is a noun beside another noun to explain it. Compared to a subjective or objective complement, you won’t find the appositive beside a linking verb or direct object. For example:

• Your friend Jacky is visiting this weekend.
• Her favorite restaurant, Gallery by Jordan, offers the best cocktails.

Appositives can be set off with commas or not, depending on the length. You may also add commas if the information is not essential to the sentence’s meaning.

In grammar, a noun adjunct or attributive noun is a noun that modifies another noun. It functions similarly to an adjective.

For example, in the phrase “beef broth,” the noun beef functions as an adjective that modifies broth. Another example of a noun adjunct is ocean in “ocean view.”

Despite the first words functioning as adjectives, “beef broth” and “ocean view” are still noun phrases or compound nouns.

Singular Nouns vs. Plural Nouns

A singular noun is one that represents one person, place, animal, object, or event. Plural nouns denote more than one noun. Regular nouns only require -s or -es at the end of the word. Below are examples of words in singular form and plural form.

• Cellphone, cellphones.
• Ladle, ladles.
• Potato, potatoes.

Irregular nouns change their spelling when pluralized. Others don’t change at all when pluralized. For example:

• Child, children.
• Sheep, sheep.
• Species, species.

Remember that singular nouns require singular verbs, while plural nouns require plural verbs. For example:

• The cacti have been on our lawn since 2012.
• The focus of the poem is the ballerina.

Wrapping Up Nouns

Nouns are everywhere in writing, so it’s just right that you learn all about nouns. Nouns are words that name persons, places, objects, and ideas.

I hope my guide has explained the functions, types, and examples of nouns in an easy-to-understand way. Make sure to practice using nouns with the correct verb form, article, pluralization, and capitalization.

Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

2024 © Grammarist, a Found First Marketing company. All rights reserved.

Look up a word, learn it forever.

Other forms: essays; essayed; essaying

A composition that is usually short and has a literary theme is called an essay . You should probably start writing your essay on "To Kill a Mockingbird" sometime before the bus ride to school the day it is due.

As a noun, an essay is also an attempt, especially a tentative initial one. Your essay to make friends at your new school would probably work better if you actually spoke to other students. As a verb, to essay is to make an attempt. If you essay to run for student council, you might lose to the girl who promises more recess, longer lunches, and less homework.

• noun an analytic or interpretive literary composition see more see less types: show 5 types... hide 5 types... composition , paper , report , theme an essay (especially one written as an assignment) disquisition an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion memoir an essay on a scientific or scholarly topic thanatopsis an essay expressing a view on the subject of death term paper a composition intended to indicate a student's progress during a school term type of: piece of writing , writing , written material the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect)
• verb make an effort or attempt “The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps” synonyms: assay , attempt , seek , try see more see less types: show 17 types... hide 17 types... pick up the gauntlet , take a dare be dared to do something and attempt it fight , struggle make a strenuous or labored effort give it a try , have a go make an attempt at something grope search blindly or uncertainly endeavor , endeavour , strive attempt by employing effort give it a try , give it a whirl try adventure , chance , gamble , hazard , risk , run a risk , take a chance , take chances take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome lay on the line , put on the line , risk expose to a chance of loss or damage strive , struggle exert strenuous effort against opposition drive , labor , labour , push , tug strive and make an effort to reach a goal flounder behave awkwardly; have difficulties be at pains , take pains try very hard to do something buck to strive with determination go for broke risk everything in one big effort luck it , luck through act by relying on one's luck adventure , hazard , jeopardize , stake , venture put at risk bell the cat take a risk; perform a daring act type of: act , move perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
• noun a tentative attempt see more see less type of: attempt , effort , endeavor , endeavour , try earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
• verb put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to synonyms: examine , prove , test , try , try out see more see less types: control , verify check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard float circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with field-test test something under the conditions under which it will actually be used type of: evaluate , judge , pass judgment form a critical opinion of

Vocabulary lists containing essay

Before you can answer a question on the PARCC English Language Arts/Literacy section, you first need to know what the question is asking. Learn this list of 45 words that we extracted from a PARCC practice test's directions, question stems, and answer options.

A thorough survey of various textbooks, assignments, content area standards, and examinations yields the following list of words compiled by Jim Burke . You cannot expect to succeed on assignments if you do not understand the directions.

To improve your fluency in English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR), learn this academic vocabulary list that includes words selected from the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) state standards.

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement..

What Are Nouns?

Table of contents, what are nouns, examples of nouns:, why are nouns important, plural vs. singular nouns.

Different Types Of Nouns

1. abstract vs. concrete nouns:.

2. Animate Vs. Inanimate Nouns:

3. Collective Nouns:

4. common vs. proper nouns:.

5. Compound Nouns:

6. Countable Vs. Uncountable Nouns:

Noun Functions

Complement:, appositive:, an object of a preposition:.

• Britannica Homepage
• Ask the Editor
• Word of the Day
• Core Vocabulary
• Most Popular
• Browse the Dictionary
• My Saved Words
• essay (noun)
• essay (verb)
• Your assignment is to write a 500-word essay on one of Shakespeare's sonnets.
• The book is a collection of his previously unpublished essays on/about a variety of topics.
• He at first essayed [= tried , attempted ] a career as a writer.
• There is no hint as to which of the approaches essayed in this book will prove most useful.
• He essayed [= tried , attempted ] to restore an emphasis on classical languages.

• About Us & Legal Info
• Partner Program
• Privacy Notice
• Terms of Use
• Pronunciation Symbols

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of essay in English

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

• I want to finish off this essay before I go to bed .
• His essay was full of spelling errors .
• Have you given that essay in yet ?
• Have you handed in your history essay yet ?
• I'd like to discuss the first point in your essay.
• boilerplate
• composition
• corresponding author
• dissertation
• essay question
• peer review
• go all out idiom
• go down swinging/fighting idiom
• go for it idiom
• go for someone
• go out of your way idiom
• smarten (someone/something) up
• smarten up your act idiom
• square the circle idiom
• step on the gas idiom
• stick at something

essay | Intermediate English

Examples of essay, collocations with essay.

These are words often used in combination with essay .

Click on a collocation to see more examples of it.

Translations of essay

Get a quick, free translation!

Word of the Day

detective work

the activity of searching for information about something, often over a long period

A finger in every pie: phrases with the word ‘finger’

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• English    Noun Verb
• Intermediate    Noun
• Collocations
• Translations
• All translations

To add essay to a word list please sign up or log in.

Add essay to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

• Daily Crossword
• Word Puzzle
• Word Finder
• Word of the Day
• Synonym of the Day
• Word of the Year
• Language stories
• All featured
• Gender and sexuality
• All pop culture
• Writing hub
• Grammar essentials
• Commonly confused
• All writing tips
• Pop culture
• Writing tips

Advertisement

[ noun es -ey es -ey , e- sey verb e- sey ]

• a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.

a picture essay.

• an effort to perform or accomplish something; attempt.
• Philately. a design for a proposed stamp differing in any way from the design of the stamp as issued.
• Obsolete. a tentative effort; trial; assay.

verb (used with object)

• to try; attempt.
• to put to the test; make trial of.
• a short literary composition dealing with a subject analytically or speculatively
• an attempt or endeavour; effort
• a test or trial
• to attempt or endeavour; try
• to test or try out
• A short piece of writing on one subject, usually presenting the author's own views. Michel de Montaigne , Francis Bacon (see also Bacon ), and Ralph Waldo Emerson are celebrated for their essays.

Other Words From

• es·sayer noun
• prees·say verb (used without object)
• unes·sayed adjective
• well-es·sayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of essay 1

Example Sentences

As several of my colleagues commented, the result is good enough that it could pass for an essay written by a first-year undergraduate, and even get a pretty decent grade.

GPT-3 also raises concerns about the future of essay writing in the education system.

This little essay helps focus on self-knowledge in what you’re best at, and how you should prioritize your time.

As Steven Feldstein argues in the opening essay, technonationalism plays a part in the strengthening of other autocracies too.

He’s written a collection of essays on civil engineering life titled Bridginess, and to this day he and Lauren go on “bridge dates,” where they enjoy a meal and admire the view of a nearby span.

I think a certain kind of compelling essay has a piece of that.

The current attack on the Jews,” he wrote in a 1937 essay, “targets not just this people of 15 million but mankind as such.

The impulse to interpret seems to me what makes personal essay writing compelling.

To be honest, I think a lot of good essay writing comes out of that.

Someone recently sent me an old Joan Didion essay on self-respect that appeared in Vogue.

There is more of the uplifted forefinger and the reiterated point than I should have allowed myself in an essay.

Consequently he was able to turn in a clear essay upon the subject, which, upon examination, the king found to be free from error.

It is no part of the present essay to attempt to detail the particulars of a code of social legislation.

But angels and ministers of grace defend us from ministers of religion who essay art criticism!

It is fit that the imagination, which is free to go through all things, should essay such excursions.

Related Words

• dissertation

• How to Write a Definition Essay

A definition essay can be deceivingly difficult to write. This type of paper requires you to write a personal yet academic definition of one specific word. The definition must be thorough and lengthy. It is essential that you choose a word that will give you plenty to write about, and there are a few standard tactics you can use to elaborate on the term. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when writing a definition essay.

Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Word

1: choose an abstract word with a complex meaning. [1].

A simple word that refers to a concrete word will not give you much to write about, but a complex word that refers to an abstract concept provides more material to explore.

• Typically, nouns that refer to a person, place, or thing are too simple for a definition essay. Nouns that refer to an idea work better, however, as do most adjectives.
• For example, the word “house” is fairly simple and an essay written around it may be dull. By switching to something slightly more abstract like “home,” however, you can play around with the definition more. A “home” is a concept, and there are many elements involved in the creation of a “home.” In comparison, a “house” is merely a structure.

2: Make sure that the word is disputable.

Aside from being complex, the word should also refer to something that can mean different things to different people.

• A definition essay is somewhat subjective by nature since it requires you to analyze and define a word from your own perspective. If the answer you come up with after analyzing a word is the same answer anyone else would come up with, your essay may appear to lack depth.

3: Choose a word you have some familiarity with.

Dictionary definitions can only tell you so much. Since you need to elaborate on the word you choose to define, you will need to have your own base of knowledge or experience with the concept you choose.

• For instance, if you have never heard the term “pedantic,” your understanding of the word will be limited. You can introduce yourself to the word for your essay, but without previous understanding of the concept, you will not know if the definition you describe is truly fitting.

4: Read the dictionary definition.

While you will not be relying completely on the dictionary definition for your essay, familiarizing yourself with the official definition will allow you to compare your own understanding of the concept with the simplest, most academic explanation of it.

• As an example, one definition of “friend” is “a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.” [2] Your own ideas or beliefs about what a “friend” really is likely include much more information, but this basic definition can present you with a good starting point in forming your own.

5:  Research the word’s origins.

Look up your chosen word in the Oxford English Dictionary or in another etymology dictionary. [3]

• These sources can tell you the history behind a word, which can provide further insight on a general definition as well as information about how a word came to mean what it means today.

Part 2 of 3: Potential Elements of an Effective Definition

1: write an analysis. [4].

Separate a word into various parts. Analyze and define each part in its own paragraph.

• You can separate “return” into “re-” and “turn.” The word “friendship” can be separated into “friend” and “ship.”
• In order to analyze each portion of a word, you will still need to use additional defining tactics like negation and classification.
• Note that this tactic only works for words that contain multiple parts. The word “love,” for instance, cannot be broken down any further. If defining “platonic love,” though, you could define both “platonic” and “love” separately within your essay.

2:  Classify the term.

Specify what classes and parts of speech a word belongs to according to a standard dictionary definition.

• While this information is very basic and dry, it can provide helpful context about the way that a given word is used.

3: Compare an unfamiliar term to something familiar.

An unfamiliar or uncommon concept can be explained using concepts that are more accessible to the average person.

• Many people have never heard of the term “confrere,” for instance. One basic definition is “a fellow member of a profession, fraternity, etc.” As such, you could compare “confrere” with “colleague,” which is a similar yet more familiar concept. [5]

4:  Provide traditional details about the term.

Explain any physical characteristics or traditional thoughts used to describe your term of choice.

• The term “home” is often visualized physically as a house or apartment. In more abstract terms, “home” is traditionally thought to be a warm, cozy, and safe environment. You can include all of these features in a definition essay on “home.”

5: Use examples to illustrate the meaning.

People often relate to stories and vivid images, so using a fitting story or image that relates to the term can be used in clarifying an abstract, formless concept.

• In a definition essay about “kindness,” for example, you could write about an act of kindness you recently witnessed. Someone who mows the lawn of an elderly neighbor is a valid example, just as someone who gave you an encouraging word when you were feeling down might be.

6: Use negation to explain what the term does not mean.

If a term is often misused or misunderstood, mentioning what it is not is an effective way to bring the concept into focus.

• A common example would be the term “courage.” The term is often associated with a lack of fear, but many will argue that “courage” is more accurately described as acting in spite of fear.

7: Provide background information.

This is when your research about the etymology of a word will come in handy. Explain where the term originated and how it came to mean what it currently means.

Part 3 of 3: Definition Essay Structure

1: introduce the standard definition..

You need to clearly state what your word is along with its traditional or dictionary definition in your introductory paragraph.

• By opening with the dictionary definition of your term, you create context and a basic level of knowledge about the word. This will allow you to introduce and elaborate on your own definition.
• This is especially significant when the traditional definition of your term varies from your own definition in notable ways.

2: Define the term in your own words in your thesis.

Your actual thesis statement should define the term in your own words.

• Keep the definition in your thesis brief and basic. You will elaborate on it more in the body of your paper.
• Avoid using passive phrases involving the word “is” when defining your term. The phrases “is where” and “is when” are especially clunky. [6]
• Do not repeat part of the defined term in your definition.

3:  Separate different parts of the definition into separate paragraphs.

Each tactic or method used to define your term should be explored in a separate paragraph.

• Note that you do not need to use all the possible methods of defining a term in your essay. You should use a variety of different methods in order to create a full, well-rounded picture of the term, but some tactics will work great with some terms but not with others.

4: Conclude with a summary of your main points.

Briefly summarize your main points around the start of your concluding paragraph.

• This summary does not need to be elaborate. Usually, looking at the topic sentence of each body paragraph is a good way to form a simple list of your main points.
• You can also draw the essay to a close by referring to phrases or images evoked in your introduction.

5: Mention how the definition has affected you, if desired.

If the term you define plays a part in your own life and experiences, your final concluding remarks are a good place to briefly mention the role it plays.

• Relate your experience with the term to the definition you created for it in your thesis. Avoid sharing experiences that relate to the term but contradict everything you wrote in your essay.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Definition.html
• http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/friend?s=t
• http://www.etymonline.com/
• http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/definition.html
• http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/confrere?s=t
• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm
• How to Write a Definition Essay. Provided by : WikiHow. Located at : http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Definition-Essay . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (Access Requires Login)

• Overview of Instructor Resources

An Overview of the Writing Process

• Introduction to the Writing Process
• Introduction to Writing
• Your Role as a Learner
• What is an Essay?
• Reading to Write
• Defining the Writing Process
• Videos: Prewriting Techniques
• Thesis Statements
• Organizing an Essay
• Creating Paragraphs
• Conclusions
• Editing and Proofreading
• Matters of Grammar, Mechanics, and Style
• Peer Review Checklist
• Comparative Chart of Writing Strategies

Using Sources

• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Formatting the Works Cited Page (MLA)
• Citing Paraphrases and Summaries (APA)
• APA Citation Style, 6th edition: General Style Guidelines

Definition Essay

• Definitional Argument Essay
• Critical Thinking
• Video: Thesis Explained
• Effective Thesis Statements
• Student Sample: Definition Essay

Narrative Essay

• Introduction to Narrative Essay
• Student Sample: Narrative Essay
• "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
• "Sixty-nine Cents" by Gary Shteyngart
• Video: The Danger of a Single Story
• How to Write an Annotation
• How to Write a Summary
• Writing for Success: Narration

Illustration/Example Essay

• Introduction to Illustration/Example Essay
• "She's Your Basic L.O.L. in N.A.D" by Perri Klass
• "April & Paris" by David Sedaris
• Writing for Success: Illustration/Example
• Student Sample: Illustration/Example Essay

Compare/Contrast Essay

• Introduction to Compare/Contrast Essay
• "Disability" by Nancy Mairs
• "Friending, Ancient or Otherwise" by Alex Wright
• "A South African Storm" by Allison Howard
• Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast
• Student Sample: Compare/Contrast Essay

Cause-and-Effect Essay

• Introduction to Cause-and-Effect Essay
• "Cultural Baggage" by Barbara Ehrenreich
• "Women in Science" by K.C. Cole
• Writing for Success: Cause and Effect
• Student Sample: Cause-and-Effect Essay

Argument Essay

• Introduction to Argument Essay
• Rogerian Argument
• "The Case Against Torture," by Alisa Soloman
• "The Case for Torture" by Michael Levin
• How to Write a Summary by Paraphrasing Source Material
• Writing for Success: Argument
• Student Sample: Argument Essay
• Grammar/Mechanics Mini-lessons
• Mini-lesson: Subjects and Verbs, Irregular Verbs, Subject Verb Agreement
• Mini-lesson: Sentence Types
• Mini-lesson: Fragments I
• Mini-lesson: Run-ons and Comma Splices I
• Mini-lesson: Comma Usage
• Mini-lesson: Parallelism
• Mini-lesson: The Apostrophe
• Mini-lesson: Capital Letters
• Grammar Practice - Interactive Quizzes
• De Copia - Demonstration of the Variety of Language
• Style Exercise: Voice

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Write an Essay

I. What is an Essay?

An essay is a form of writing in paragraph form that uses informal language, although it can be written formally. Essays may be written in first-person point of view (I, ours, mine), but third-person (people, he, she) is preferable in most academic essays. Essays do not require research as most academic reports and papers do; however, they should cite any literary works that are used within the paper.

When thinking of essays, we normally think of the five-paragraph essay: Paragraph 1 is the introduction, paragraphs 2-4 are the body covering three main ideas, and paragraph 5 is the conclusion. Sixth and seventh graders may start out with three paragraph essays in order to learn the concepts. However, essays may be longer than five paragraphs. Essays are easier and quicker to read than books, so are a preferred way to express ideas and concepts when bringing them to public attention.

II. Examples of Essays

Many of our most famous Americans have written essays. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson wrote essays about being good citizens and concepts to build the new United States. In the pre-Civil War days of the 1800s, people such as:

• Ralph Waldo Emerson (an author) wrote essays on self-improvement
• Susan B. Anthony wrote on women’s right to vote
• Frederick Douglass wrote on the issue of African Americans’ future in the U.S.

Through each era of American history, well-known figures in areas such as politics, literature, the arts, business, etc., voiced their opinions through short and long essays.

The ultimate persuasive essay that most students learn about and read in social studies is the “Declaration of Independence” by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. Other founding fathers edited and critiqued it, but he drafted the first version. He builds a strong argument by stating his premise (claim) then proceeds to give the evidence in a straightforward manner before coming to his logical conclusion.

III. Types of Essays

A. expository.

Essays written to explore and explain ideas are called expository essays (they expose truths). These will be more formal types of essays usually written in third person, to be more objective. There are many forms, each one having its own organizational pattern.  Cause/Effect essays explain the reason (cause) for something that happens after (effect). Definition essays define an idea or concept. Compare/ Contrast essays will look at two items and show how they are similar (compare) and different (contrast).

b. Persuasive

An argumentative paper presents an idea or concept with the intention of attempting to change a reader’s mind or actions . These may be written in second person, using “you” in order to speak to the reader. This is called a persuasive essay. There will be a premise (claim) followed by evidence to show why you should believe the claim.

c. Narrative

Narrative means story, so narrative essays will illustrate and describe an event of some kind to tell a story. Most times, they will be written in first person. The writer will use descriptive terms, and may have paragraphs that tell a beginning, middle, and end in place of the five paragraphs with introduction, body, and conclusion. However, if there is a lesson to be learned, a five-paragraph may be used to ensure the lesson is shown.

d. Descriptive

The goal of a descriptive essay is to vividly describe an event, item, place, memory, etc. This essay may be written in any point of view, depending on what’s being described. There is a lot of freedom of language in descriptive essays, which can include figurative language, as well.

IV. The Importance of Essays

Essays are an important piece of literature that can be used in a variety of situations. They’re a flexible type of writing, which makes them useful in many settings . History can be traced and understood through essays from theorists, leaders, artists of various arts, and regular citizens of countries throughout the world and time. For students, learning to write essays is also important because as they leave school and enter college and/or the work force, it is vital for them to be able to express themselves well.

V. Examples of Essays in Literature

Sir Francis Bacon was a leading philosopher who influenced the colonies in the 1600s. Many of America’s founding fathers also favored his philosophies toward government. Bacon wrote an essay titled “Of Nobility” in 1601 , in which he defines the concept of nobility in relation to people and government. The following is the introduction of his definition essay. Note the use of “we” for his point of view, which includes his readers while still sounding rather formal.

 “We will speak of nobility, first as a portion of an estate, then as a condition of particular persons. A monarchy, where there is no nobility at all, is ever a pure and absolute tyranny; as that of the Turks. For nobility attempers sovereignty, and draws the eyes of the people, somewhat aside from the line royal. But for democracies, they need it not; and they are commonly more quiet, and less subject to sedition, than where there are stirps of nobles. For men’s eyes are upon the business, and not upon the persons; or if upon the persons, it is for the business’ sake, as fittest, and not for flags and pedigree. We see the Switzers last well, notwithstanding their diversity of religion, and of cantons. For utility is their bond, and not respects. The united provinces of the Low Countries, in their government, excel; for where there is an equality, the consultations are more indifferent, and the payments and tributes, more cheerful. A great and potent nobility, addeth majesty to a monarch, but diminisheth power; and putteth life and spirit into the people, but presseth their fortune. It is well, when nobles are not too great for sovereignty nor for justice; and yet maintained in that height, as the insolency of inferiors may be broken upon them, before it come on too fast upon the majesty of kings. A numerous nobility causeth poverty, and inconvenience in a state; for it is a surcharge of expense; and besides, it being of necessity, that many of the nobility fall, in time, to be weak in fortune, it maketh a kind of disproportion, between honor and means.”

A popular modern day essayist is Barbara Kingsolver. Her book, “Small Wonders,” is full of essays describing her thoughts and experiences both at home and around the world. Her intention with her essays is to make her readers think about various social issues, mainly concerning the environment and how people treat each other. The link below is to an essay in which a child in an Iranian village she visited had disappeared. The boy was found three days later in a bear’s cave, alive and well, protected by a mother bear. She uses a narrative essay to tell her story.

VI. Examples of Essays in Pop Culture

Many rap songs are basically mini essays, expressing outrage and sorrow over social issues today, just as the 1960s had a lot of anti-war and peace songs that told stories and described social problems of that time. Any good song writer will pay attention to current events and express ideas in a creative way.

A well-known essay written in 1997 by Mary Schmich, a columnist with the Chicago Tribune, was made into a popular video on MTV by Baz Luhrmann. Schmich’s thesis is to wear sunscreen, but she adds strong advice with supporting details throughout the body of her essay, reverting to her thesis in the conclusion.

VII. Related Terms

Research paper.

Research papers follow the same basic format of an essay. They have an introductory paragraph, the body, and a conclusion. However, research papers have strict guidelines regarding a title page, header, sub-headers within the paper, citations throughout and in a bibliography page, the size and type of font, and margins. The purpose of a research paper is to explore an area by looking at previous research. Some research papers may include additional studies by the author, which would then be compared to previous research. The point of view is an objective third-person. No opinion is allowed. Any claims must be backed up with research.

VIII. Conclusion

Students dread hearing that they are going to write an essay, but essays are one of the easiest and most relaxed types of writing they will learn. Mastering the essay will make research papers much easier, since they have the same basic structure. Many historical events can be better understood through essays written by people involved in those times. The continuation of essays in today’s times will allow future historians to understand how our new world of technology and information impacted us.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Home — Essay Samples — Science — English Language — Nouns in the English Language

Nouns in The English Language

• Categories: English Language

About this sample

Words: 2272 |

12 min read

Published: Apr 11, 2019

Words: 2272 | Pages: 5 | 12 min read

• Proper and common nouns
• Personal names (both first names like Diana and Chris, as well as surnames like Popescu);
• Nationalities (the Japanese, the British)
• Languages (English, Romanian, Spanish);
• Titles (Mr. John, Miss Deborah, Mrs. Kerry, Dr. Smith, Queen Elisabeth, Lord Byron, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sergent Jackson, Professor Bright);
• Animals (Spot, Missy);
• Calendar items (January, Monday, Christmas);
• Geographical names like:
• continents (Europe, Africa)
• countries (the United States of America, Greece)
• rivers, lakes, oceans, seas (the Black Sea, the Danube, Lake Michigan)
• mountains (the Alps) and so on.
• Celestial bodies (the Moon, Venus)
• Cardinal points, when they are not used geographically (North, West);
• Institutions (the European Union, the National Theatre, the British Museum);
• Newspapers, titles of books, magazines (the Guardian, Vogue, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)
• Countable and uncountable nouns
• it has a plural form (girl – girls, table - tables);
• it can be preceded by the indefinite article a/an (a cat, an argument);
• it can be preceded by How many or (a) few (How many pencils have you got?; My cousin has a few books);
• it can be preceded by numbers (one pencil box with three rulers).
• it has not a plural form (sugar, silver, blood);
• it cannot be preceded by the indefinite article a/an (Such fine weather!);
• it can be preceded by How much or (a) little (How much honey do you want?; My parents have little furniture);
• it cannot be preceded by numbers.
• liquids (water, oil, milk);
• gas (air, oxygen, steam);
• food (spaghetti, butter, soup, bread, cheese, cookery, food, meat, toast );
• abstract ideas (chaos, advice, education, fun, gossip, hospitality, information, knowledge, luck, news, nonsense, patience, progress, strength, stuff );
• subjects / fields (mathematics, art, politics, poetry, vocabulary);
• mass nouns (hair, transportation, furniture, grass, money);
• grain and powder (sugar, rice, sand);
• natural phenomena (rain, snow, darkness, lightning, sunshine, thunder);
• sports (football, chess, poker);
• activities (reading, swimming, working, dancing, laughter, leisure, shopping, smoking, spelling, work);
• feelings (sadness, anger, courage, happiness, jealousy);
• states of being (adulthood, power, sleep, stress, safety, stupidity, violence, wealth).
• Concrete and abstract nouns; collective nouns

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Science

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 607 words

4 pages / 1859 words

1 pages / 611 words

4 pages / 1593 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on English Language

What i learned in english class? I’ve learned many things through the course of this class: how to write a good essay, how to get batter at some essays I’ve already written in the past. I’ve learned how to locate my resources to [...]

Throughout my college journey, I have had the pleasure of taking various classes that have enriched my academic experience. However, one class, in particular, stands out from the rest - my English class. This course has not only [...]

Prepositions are a fundamental component of the English language, serving as connectors that establish relationships between different elements within a sentence. Despite their often diminutive size, prepositions play a critical [...]

Khaled Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner, is a powerful and emotionally charged story that explores the complexities of friendship, betrayal, redemption, and the impact of the past on the present. Through the use of various [...]

In English language there are eight parts of speech and they are: Noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection. The parts of speech show the function of a word in context of its meaning and [...]

English is known as the international language nowadays. It is the language which is used in many countries. It is widely used in Education, Business, Movies, and even in Sports. In this assignment, we will define the importance [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Still have questions? Leave a comment

Add Comment

Checklist: Dissertation Proposal

Enter your email id to get the downloadable right in your inbox!

Examples: Edited Papers

Need editing and proofreading services, noun explained: definition, types & examples for easy learning.

• Tags: English as a Second Language / ESL , Grammar , Language

Whether we are speaking, reading, listening, or writing, nouns are an inseparable part of our daily life. Knowing what’s a noun is very important to communicate effectively. In this article, we will decode the definition of nouns. 

We will also understand various types of nouns with the help of simple examples. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or someone looking to deepen their grammar knowledge, this article will make understanding nouns easier for everyone. Let’s start with an easy noun definition.

Transform your nouns and perfect your writing! Learn more

What is a Noun?

A noun is defined as a word that names or identifies a person, place, thing, idea, or animal.

Nouns are the words in a sentence that represent a certain person (John), place (London), thing (pen), idea (discipline), or animal (dog). Nouns can be concrete (pen) or abstract (discipline).

The easiest way to spot a noun is by identifying a name, place, thing, idea, or animal in a sentence.

Being aware of the noun definition, noun meaning, and what are nouns is integral for understanding grammar and sentence structure in any language. 

A list of nouns commonly used is:

Animal: Cat     

Place : Park

Thing : Bicycle

Person : Girl

To understand the meaning of nouns in detail, let’s take a look at some more examples of nouns.

Noun examples

1. nouns naming a person:.

The Prime Minister

Indira Gandhi

2. Nouns naming a place

3. Nouns naming a thing

The magical book

4. Nouns naming an idea

5. Nouns naming an animal

These examples give us a quick insight into the process of identifying and choosing nouns in a sentence. Nouns are one of the eight parts of speech that play a vital role in forming sentences. 

What are parts of speech? 

Parts of speech are specific roles and functions of a word in the English language. Noun, verb , adjective , adverb , pronoun , preposition , conjunction , and interjection are the eight parts of speech. 

Types of nouns

1. proper noun.

These are nouns that specifically name a person, place, or thing. Proper nouns start with capital letters, making it easy to distinguish them from other types of nouns.

Some proper noun examples are:

The time we visited Delhi was one of the most fun times of my life. (Name of a particular place.)

I watched a film about Freddie Mercury . (Name of a particular person.)

I love shopping at Shopper’s Stop . (Name of a particular brand.)

2. Collective noun

A noun used to refer to a group of individuals, animals, or things as a single unit is called a collective noun. It shows a grouping of similar things. Collective nouns are a type of singular noun but they represent a plurality of items. 

Some collective noun examples are:

A deck of cards.

A class of students.

A hive of bees.

3. Common noun

A noun that refers to a general category of people, places, or things is called a common noun. Common nouns do not represent a particular category or specific instance. 

Some common noun examples are: 

I am going to the hospital . (place)

I like using a pencil to sketch. (thing)

I bought a new car . (item)

4. Abstract noun

A word that represents an idea, a state, or an intangible concept is called an abstract noun. Abstract nouns are things that cannot be seen or touched physically but are present as feelings or emotions. Abstract nouns refer to things that are intangible and exist as feelings, thoughts, and ideas. 

Some abstract noun examples are:

Honesty is the best policy.

Loyalty is a dog’s best trait.

Freedom must not be considered as a liberty . 

5. Concrete noun

A concrete noun is a type of noun that refers to tangible objects that can be felt or perceived physically using their senses. Unlike abstract nouns, concrete nouns can be seen, touched, heard, and experienced physically. 

Some concrete noun examples are:

The tree was 100 years old.

The family traveled by bus . 

I want to read a book . 

6. Plural noun

A plural noun is used to indicate more than one of a place, thing, person, animal, or idea. Plural nouns are represented by words that are made plural by adding ‘s’, ‘es’, or ‘ ies’ to the ending. Confusing plural nouns with collective nouns is one of the common grammatical mistakes people make. Plural nouns refer to multiple individuals or objects while collective nouns refer to a group or collection of individuals or objects. 

Some plural noun examples are:

We bought a few oranges from the market yesterday.

There were a lot of dishes to be cleaned.

All the candies were sweet.

7. Possessive noun

A possessive noun is a word used to indicate ownership or possession of something. It shows possession or that something belongs to someone. It is often formed by adding a ‘s at the end of the words which show that the noun owns or possesses something.

Some possessive noun examples are:

The king’s reign was over. (reign of the king)

Students’ assignments were submitted. (assignments belonging to the students)

All the car’s windows have to be shut. (windows belonging to the car)

8. Compound noun

A noun that is formed by combining two or more words to create a new, single noun is called a compound noun. The combination of these two or more words results in the formation of a new word having a distinct meaning. The three types of compound nouns that are commonly used are hyphenated compound nouns, closed compound nouns, and open compound nouns. 

Some compound noun examples are:

Bus stop (bus + stop) (open compound noun)

Classroom (class + room) (closed compound noun)

Mother-in-law (hyphenated compound noun)

9. Countable nouns 

Countable nouns are people, objects, places, things, and ideas that can be counted using numbers. These nouns have plural forms. 

Some examples of countable nouns are:

He purchased two dozen apples for his family. (apple + s) 

She borrowed two purses from a friend.  (purse + s ) 

There are many temples in India. (temple + s) 

10. Uncountable nouns 

Uncountable nouns are those objects and ideas that cannot be counted using numbers. This means that the individual units of these nouns cannot be counted. These nouns do not have plural forms. Words such as some , any , much , and enough can be used to describe the quantity of these nouns. 

Some examples of uncountable nouns are: 

Trees grew in abundance . (Individual units of “abundance” cannot be counted.)

She has vast knowledge in her field. (Individual units of “knowledge” cannot be 

She appreciated her tolerance .  (Individual units of “tolerance” cannot be counted.)

11. Appositive nouns

Nouns that are used to add specificity or additional context to a noun in the sentence are known as appositive nouns. Appositive nouns give extra information about the subject and make sentences more engaging. They are typically set off by commas, dashes, or parentheses.

Some of the examples are: 

The country, India , is known for its culture. (“India” serves as an appositive noun that renames “the country.”)

My dog, Leo , loves to play fetch. (“Leo” serves as an appositive noun that renames “my dog.”)

My sister, Riya , is a dancer. (“Riya” serves as an appositive noun that renames “my sister.”)

Using nouns as different parts of a sentence

Noun as a subject.

The subject of a sentence is the noun or noun phrase that performs the main action of the sentence or is the main focus of the sentence. A subject can be easily identified by asking the question “who?”. It mostly appears at the beginning of a sentence when used as a subject.

The baby was crying. (Who was crying? – the baby)

Cyrus was a naughty child. (Who was a naughty child? – Cyrus)

Mother went to the store. (Who went to the store? – mother)

Noun as a subject complement

A noun or noun phrase serves as a subject complement when it follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject in the sentence. The subject is typically described or renamed by a subject complement. 

Examples: 

The painting was a masterpiece . (“A masterpiece” describes the subject “the painting.”)

He is a scientist . (“A scientist” renames and describes the subject “he.”)

The owner of this house is Alan . ( “Alan” identifies the subject “the owner.”)

Nouns as subject complement help provide more information about the subject, clarifying its identity, characteristics, or state. They are an important element in sentences that use linking verbs to connect to the subject.

Noun as an object

When a noun is placed in a position where it receives the action of the verb, it is used as an object. An object placed immediately after a verb is known as a direct object. An object can be easily identified by asking questions like “what?” or “whom?”.

Izzy loved her skirt . (What did Izzy love? – her skirt)

The baby wanted milk . (What did the baby want? – milk)

Father drove the car . (What did father drive? – the car)

Noun as an object complement

A noun or noun phrase functions as an object complement when it follows a direct object and provides further description or identification of that object. The object is typically described or renamed by an object complement. 

He painted the wall red .  (“red” is the object complement, describing the object “wall.”)

We named our baby Judy . (“Judy” provides additional information about the object “baby”)

She considered the book a good read . (“A good read” describes the object “book.”)

Noun as a modifier

Nouns that act as an adjective and provide additional information or context about another noun are referred to as modifiers . They are also called attributive nouns. 

The mechanic understood that the car engine was faulty. (“car” acts as a modifier for “engine” and indicates that this type of engine is used in a car)

She took her Labrador Retriever to the dog park. (“dog” acts as a modifier for “park” and indicates that this type of park is for dogs)

He threw his coffee cup in the dustbin. (“coffee” acts as a modifier for “cup” and indicates that this type of cup is for coffee)

We hope that the given examples will help you use nouns effectively while communicating. As language experts who provide proofreading services , we’d love to help you perfect your words. 

Bookmark PaperTrue’s Resource Centre for useful grammar tips!

• Tips to Write Better if English Is Your Second Language
• Homophones, Homonyms, and Homographs: What’s the Difference?
• Its vs. It’s: When to Use Its and It’s in a Sentence
• 14 Punctuation Marks: Examples & Free Guide on How to Use
• Affect vs. Effect: Meaning, Difference, & Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the definition of a noun, what is the difference between a noun and a pronoun, how to identify a noun in a sentence, what are the functions of a noun, what are some examples of nouns.

Found this article helpful?

One comment on “ Noun Explained: Definition, Types & Examples for Easy Learning ”

Found your website helpful for improvising my English language & it is easy to understand as well

Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Your vs. You’re: When to Use Your and You’re

Your organization needs a technical editor: here’s why, your guide to the best ebook readers in 2024, writing for the web: 7 expert tips for web content writing.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get carefully curated resources about writing, editing, and publishing in the comfort of your inbox.

How to Copyright Your Book?

If you’ve thought about copyrighting your book, you’re on the right path.

© 2024 All rights reserved

• Terms of service
• Privacy policy
• Self Publishing Guide
• Pre-Publishing Steps
• Fiction Writing Tips
• Traditional Publishing
• Additional Resources
• Dissertation Writing Guide
• Essay Writing Guide
• Academic Writing and Publishing
• Citation and Referencing
• Partner with us
• Annual report
• Website content
• Marketing material
• Job Applicant
• Cover letter
• Resource Center
• Case studies

Understanding the Types of Nouns in English Grammar

This part of speech can be a person, place, thing, or idea

• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In English grammar, a  noun is a part of speech (or word class ) that names or identifies a person, place, thing, quality, idea, or activity. Most nouns have both a singular and plural form, can be preceded by an article and/or one or more adjectives, and can serve as the head of a noun phrase.

A noun or noun phrase can function as a subject, direct object, indirect object, complement, appositive, or object of a preposition. In addition, nouns sometimes modify other nouns to form compound nouns . To understand how to recognize and use nouns, it's helpful to learn about the different types of nouns in English.

Common Noun

A common noun names any person, place, thing, activity, or idea. It's a noun that is not the name of any particular person, place, thing, or idea. A common noun is one or all of the members of a class, which can be preceded by a definite article , such as the or this , or an  indefinite article , such as a or an . Examples of common nouns are sprinkled throughout these two sentences:

" Plants  rely on the  wind,  birds, bees , and  butterflies  — and other pollinating  insects  — to transfer  pollen  from  flower  to  flower . Some of our 'other' pollinating  insects  are  flies, wasps , and  beetles ." - Nancy Bauer, "The California Wildlife Habitat Garden"

Note how all of the italicized words are common nouns, which make up the vast majority of nouns in English.

Proper Noun

A  proper noun names specific or unique individuals, events, or places, and may include real or fictional characters and settings. Unlike common nouns, most proper nouns, like Fred , New York , Mars , and Coca-Cola , begin with a capital letter. They may also be referred to as proper names for their function of naming specific things. An example would be this famous movie line:

" Houston , we have a  problem ." - "Apollo 13"

In the sentence, the word  Houston  is a proper noun because it names a specific place, while the word  problem  is a common noun, which expresses a thing or idea.

Proper nouns are not typically preceded by articles or other determiners , but there are numerous exceptions such as the Bronx or the Fourth of July . Most proper nouns are singular, but again, there are exceptions as in the United States and the Joneses .

Concrete and Abstract Nouns

A concrete noun names a material or tangible object or phenomenon — something recognizable through the senses, such as  chicken  or  egg .

An abstract noun , by contrast, is a noun or noun phrase that names an idea, event, quality or concept —  courage , freedom , progress , love , patience , excellence , and friendship . An abstract noun names something that can't be physically touched. According to "A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language", abstract nouns are "typically nonobservable and nonmeasurable.”

In comparing these two types of nouns, Tom McArthur notes in "The Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language":

"... an  abstract noun  refers to an action, concept, event, quality, or state ( love, conversation ), whereas a  concrete noun  refers to a touchable, observable person or thing ( child, tree )."

Collective Noun

A  collective noun  (such as  team, committee, jury, squad, orchestra, crowd, audience,  and  family ) refers to a group of individuals. It is also known as a  group noun . In American English, collective nouns usually take singular verb forms and can be replaced by both singular and plural pronouns, depending on their meaning.

Count and Mass Nouns

A count noun refers to an object or idea that can form a plural or occur in a noun phrase with an indefinite article or with numerals. Most common nouns in English are countable — they have both singular and plural forms. Many nouns have both countable and  noncountable  uses, such as the countable dozen  eggs  and the noncountable egg  on his face.

A  mass noun  —  advice , bread , knowledge , luck , and work  — names things that, when used in English, cannot usually be counted. A mass noun (also known as a noncount noun) is generally used only in the singular. Many abstract nouns are uncountable, but not all uncountable nouns are abstract.

Other Types of Nouns

There are two other types of nouns. Some style guides might separate them into their own categories, but they are really special types of nouns that fall within the categories described previously.

Denominal nouns :  A denominal noun is formed from another noun, usually by adding a  suffix , such as  villager  (from  village ),  New Yorker  (from  New York ) , booklet (from book ), limeade (from lime), guitarist (from guitar ),  spoonful (from spoon ), and librarian (from library ). 

Denominal nouns are context-sensitive; they depend on the context for their meaning. For example, while a  librarian  usually works in a library, a  seminarian  usually studies in a seminary.

Verbal nouns :  A verbal noun (sometimes called a  gerund ) is derived from a verb (usually by adding the suffix  -ing ) and exhibits the ordinary properties of a noun. For example:

• His firing of William was a mistake.
• My mother didn't like the idea of my  writing  a book about her.

In the first sentence, the word  firing derives from the word  fire  but functions as a verbal noun. In the second sentence, the word  writing  derives from the verb  write , but it functions here as a verbal noun.

• The 9 Parts of Speech: Definitions and Examples
• Pronoun Definition and Examples
• Prepositions in English Grammar
• Definition and Examples of Adjectives
• Definition and Examples of Interjections in English
• 100 Irregular Plural Nouns in English
• Understanding Case in English Grammar
• Definition and Examples of Determiners in English
• Proper Nouns in English Grammar
• What Is a Mass Noun?
• Understanding the Types of Verbs in English Grammar
• Substantive (Grammar)
• Edited American English (EAE)
• What Is the Subject-Verb Agreement in English Grammar?
• Understanding Anthimeria in Language
• Content or Lexical Word in English

• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Definition of noun

Did you know.

What is a noun ?

Nouns make up the largest class of words in most languages, including English. A noun is a word that refers to a thing ( book ), a person ( Noah Webster ), an animal ( cat ), a place ( Omaha ), a quality ( softness ), an idea ( justice ), or an action ( yodeling ). It's usually a single word, but not always: cake , shoes , school bus , and time and a half are all nouns.

There are a number of different categories of nouns.

There are common nouns and proper nouns . A common noun refers to a person, place, or thing but is not the name of a particular person, place, or thing. Examples are animal , sunlight , and happiness . A proper noun is the name of a particular person, place, or thing; it usually begins with a capital letter: Abraham Lincoln , Argentina , and World War I are all proper nouns.

A collective noun is a noun that names a group of people or things, such as flock or squad . It's sometimes unclear whether the verb for a collective noun should be singular or plural. In the United States, such nouns as company , team , herd , public , and class , as well as the names of companies, teams, etc., are treated as singular, but in the United Kingdom they are often treated as plural: ( US ) "The team has been doing well this season." vs. ( British ) "The team have been doing well this season."

Gerunds are nouns that are identical to the present participle ( -ing form) of a verb, as in "I enjoy swimming more than running. "

An attributive noun is a noun that modifies another noun that immediately follows it, such as business in business meeting . These nouns look like adjectives but they're not .

For learners of English, the most important feature of a noun is whether it can be counted. A count noun is a noun that can be used after a or an or after a number (or another word that means "more than one"). Count nouns have both singular and plural forms and can be used with both singular and plural verb forms, as with the word letter in "A letter for you is on the table. Letters for you arrive regularly." Sometimes the plural form of a count noun is the same as its singular form, as in "I saw a deer in my yard yesterday. There are a lot of deer in the woods near my house."

A mass noun (or noncount noun ) refers to something that cannot be counted. Mass nouns are normally not used after the words a or an or after a number. They have only one form and are used with singular verb forms, as in " Portuguese is one of the languages they speak," and "The information was unclear."

Some nouns are not count or mass nouns. Nouns which only ever refer to one thing are called singular nouns : " Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun," "We heard a terrible din in the alley." And a plural noun refers to more than one person or thing, or sometimes to something that has two main parts. Plural nouns have only one form and are used with plural verb forms: " Townspeople are invited to a forum on the project," "These scissors are dull."

A particular noun can have any or all of these kinds of uses.

( count ) I've read that book several times. ( mass ) Time seemed to stop when I saw him for the first time. ( singular ) The time is 3:22. ( plural ) Fuel costs three times as much as it did five years ago.

Examples of noun in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'noun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English nowne , from Anglo-French nom, noun name, noun, from Latin nomen — more at name

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing noun

• collective noun
• common noun
• noncount noun
• noun phrase
• proper noun
• verbal noun

Articles Related to noun

Common and Proper Nouns: What's the...

Common and Proper Nouns: What's the difference?

Learn which ones get capitals

What is a Noun?

8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But...

8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot

Plus yodeling

Dictionary Entries Near noun

Cite this entry.

“Noun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noun. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of noun, more from merriam-webster on noun.

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for noun

Nglish: Translation of noun for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of noun for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about noun

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day, by and large.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and possessive names: a guide, 31 useful rhetorical devices, more commonly misspelled words, absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat, 7 shakespearean insults to make life more interesting, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 9 superb owl words, games & quizzes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the definition of a noun.

A noun is a word that represents a person, thing, concept, or place (e.g., “John,” “house,” “affinity,” “river”). Most sentences contain at least one noun or pronoun .

Nouns are often, but not always, preceded by an article (“the,” “a,” or “an”) and/or another determiner such as an adjective .

Frequently asked questions: Nouns and pronouns

A possessive noun is a noun like “farmer’s” that is used to indicate ownership (possession). It normally comes before another noun that indicates the thing possessed (e.g., “the farmer’s pitchfork”).

Possessive nouns are formed from regular nouns by adding an apostrophe followed by an “s,” or, in the case of plural nouns that already end in “s,” by just adding an apostrophe.

Possessive is an adjective meaning “jealous” or “having the desire to own or dominate.” In a grammatical sense, it’s used as a noun or adjective referring to the ways in which possession (ownership) is shown in language.

Some grammatical concepts involving the word are possessive pronouns (e.g., “my”), possessive nouns (e.g., “Steven’s”), possessive apostrophes (apostrophes like the one in “Steven’s”), and possessive case (how words show possession in general).

You normally form a possessive noun from a singular noun by adding an apostrophe and an “s,” but there’s disagreement about how to form the possessive of a name like “James.”

Most style guides recommend adding the apostrophe and “s” like normal: James’s . But some argue that it should depend on which version feels most natural to pronounce, so that you could instead write James’ , without the additional “s.”

We recommend the first approach, adding the “s” consistently, as it’s recommended by most authorities. Whatever you choose, be consistent about how you form the possessive of a particular name. Don’t write James’ at some points and James’s at others.

The plural of “moose” is the same as the singular: “moose.” It’s one of a group of plural nouns in English that are identical to the corresponding singular nouns. So it’s wrong to write “mooses.”

For example, you might write “There are several moose in the forest.”

The correct plural of “octopus” is “octopuses.”

People often write “octopi” instead because they assume that the plural noun is formed in the same way as Latin loanwords such as “fungus/fungi.” But “octopus” actually comes from Greek, where its original plural is “octopodes.” In English, it instead has the regular plural form “octopuses.”

For example, you might write “There are four octopuses in the aquarium.”

Normally, the plural of “fish” is the same as the singular: “fish.” It’s one of a group of irregular plural nouns in English that are identical to the corresponding singular nouns (e.g., “moose,” “sheep”). For example, you might write “The fish scatter as the shark approaches.”

If you’re referring to several species of fish, though, the regular plural “fishes” is often used instead. For example, “The aquarium contains many different fishes , including trout and carp.”

The plural of “crisis” is “crises.” It’s a loanword from Latin and retains its original Latin plural noun form (similar to “analyses” and “bases”). It’s wrong to write “crisises.”

For example, you might write “Several crises destabilized the regime.”

A collective noun is any noun that is used to name a group of something (people, animals, things, etc.). “Group” is one very common collective noun. Collective nouns can be common nouns (like “group”) or proper nouns (like “Google” and other company names).

Collective nouns are most commonly treated as singular (e.g., “the herd is grazing”), but usage differs between US and UK English :

• In US English, it’s standard to treat all collective nouns as singular, even when they are plural in appearance (e.g., “The Rolling Stones is …”). Using the plural form is usually seen as incorrect.
• In UK English, collective nouns can be treated as singular or plural depending on context. It’s quite common to use the plural form, especially when the noun looks plural (e.g., “The Rolling Stones are …”).

No, as a general rule, academic concepts, disciplines, theories, models, etc. are treated as common nouns , not proper nouns , and therefore not capitalized . For example, “five-factor model of personality” or “analytic philosophy.”

However, proper nouns that appear within the name of an academic concept (such as the name of the inventor) are capitalized as usual. For example, “Darwin’s theory of evolution” or “ Student’s t table .”

The names of seasons (e.g., “spring”) are treated as common nouns in English and therefore not capitalized . People often assume they are proper nouns, but this is an error.

The names of days and months, however, are capitalized since they’re treated as proper nouns in English (e.g., “Wednesday,” “January”).

A proper adjective is an adjective that was derived from a proper noun and is therefore capitalized .

Proper adjectives include words for nationalities, languages, and ethnicities (e.g., “Japanese,” “Inuit,” “French”) and words derived from people’s names (e.g., “Bayesian,” “Orwellian”).

Common nouns are words for types of things, people, and places, such as “dog,” “professor,” and “city.” They are not capitalized and are typically used in combination with articles and other determiners.

Proper nouns are words for specific things, people, and places, such as “Max,” “Dr. Prakash,” and “London.” They are always capitalized and usually aren’t combined with articles and other determiners.

Pronouns are words like “I,” “she,” and “they” that are used in a similar way to nouns . They stand in for a noun that has already been mentioned or refer to yourself and other people.

Pronouns can function just like nouns as the head of a noun phrase and as the subject or object of a verb . However, pronouns change their forms (e.g., from “I” to “me”) depending on the grammatical context they’re used in, whereas nouns usually don’t.

There are many ways to categorize nouns into various types, and the same noun can fall into multiple categories or even change types depending on context.

Some of the main types of nouns are:

• Common and proper nouns
• Countable and uncountable nouns
• Concrete and abstract nouns
• Collective nouns
• Possessive nouns
• Attributive nouns
• Appositive nouns
• Generic nouns

Ask our team

Want to contact us directly? No problem.  We  are always here for you.

• Email [email protected]
• Start live chat
• Call +1 (510) 822-8066
• WhatsApp +31 20 261 6040

Our team helps students graduate by offering:

• A world-class citation generator
• Plagiarism Checker software powered by Turnitin
• Innovative Citation Checker software
• Professional proofreading services
• Over 300 helpful articles about academic writing, citing sources, plagiarism, and more

Scribbr specializes in editing study-related documents . We proofread:

• PhD dissertations
• Research proposals
• Personal statements
• Admission essays
• Motivation letters
• Reflection papers
• Journal articles
• Capstone projects

Scribbr’s Plagiarism Checker is powered by elements of Turnitin’s Similarity Checker , namely the plagiarism detection software and the Internet Archive and Premium Scholarly Publications content databases .

The add-on AI detector is powered by Scribbr’s proprietary software.

The Scribbr Citation Generator is developed using the open-source Citation Style Language (CSL) project and Frank Bennett’s citeproc-js . It’s the same technology used by dozens of other popular citation tools, including Mendeley and Zotero.

You can find all the citation styles and locales used in the Scribbr Citation Generator in our publicly accessible repository on Github .