1. to exist in thought or as an idea rather than as a concrete or tangible thing
The concept of justice tends to be abstract for many people.
O conceito de justiça tende a ser abstrato para muitas pessoas.
2. to be difficult to understand; to be theoretical rather than practical
His explanation seemed to be abstract and hard to follow.
Sua explicação parecia ser abstrata e difícil de acompanhar.
3. in art, to be non-representational or not depicting recognizable objects
The painting was designed to be abstract rather than realistic.
A pintura foi projetada para ser abstrata e não realista.