Abstract themes: Upper-intermediate Spanish vocabulary

44 Spanish words about abstract themes at upper-intermediate level. Each entry links to the full meaning, a real example sentence, and usage notes written for English speakers.

• enormeadjectiveenormous, vast
• principaladjectiveprime, principal — most important; first in rank or significance
• particularadjectiveparticular — relating to an individual case; specific rather than general
• menoradjectiveminor, of little importance
• fundamentaladjectivefundamental — forming a necessary base; of central importance
• preciso/aadjectiveprecise — exact and accurate; sharply defined
• próximoadjectivenext, forthcoming — immediately following in time or order
• esencialadjectiveessential — absolutely necessary, indispensable
• positivoadjectivepositive, favourable
• inmediatoadjectiveimmediate — occurring at once, without delay; also: nearest in time or space
• globaladjectiveoverall, global — taken as a whole; comprehensive in scope
• evidenteadjectiveevident — clearly apparent, obvious to observe
• idealadjectiveideal — perfectly suited; best possible for a purpose
• inicialadjectiveinitial — at the beginning; first in order or time
• extraordinarioadjectiveextraordinary — very unusual or remarkable, beyond the ordinary
• frecuenteadjectivefrequent — occurring often; happening at short intervals
• falsoadjectivefalse — not true; deceptive, counterfeit
• intensoadjectiveintense, extreme
• continuoadjectiveongoing, continuous — happening or continuing without interruption
• permanenteadjectivepermanent — lasting or intended to last indefinitely
• inmensoadjectiveimmense — extremely large; vast in extent or degree
• notableadjectivenotable — worthy of attention or notice; significant
• prácticoadjectivepractical — concerned with actual use rather than theory; effective in practice
• inevitableadjectiveinevitable — certain to happen and unable to be prevented
• obvioadjectiveobvious — easily perceived or understood; clearly apparent
• maduroadjectivemature — fully developed; showing wisdom born of experience
• numerosoadjectivenumerous — large in number; many
• masivoadjectivemassive — very large in scale or degree; involving large numbers
• gradualadjectivegradual — taking place in stages over time; not sudden
• ferozadjectivefierce, ferocious — violently aggressive; also: extremely intense
• meroadjectivemere — nothing more than what is specified; used to minimise
• optimistaadjectiveoptimistic — expecting good outcomes; hopeful about the future
• primarioadjectiveprimary — first in order of importance; principal
• equivalenteadjectiveequivalent, equal in value
• afortunadoadjectivefortunate, lucky — having good fortune; favoured by circumstances
• genuinoadjectivegenuine — truly what it is claimed to be; authentic, sincere
• desnudoadjectivenaked, bare — without covering; also fig. stark and unembellished
• interminableadjectiveendless, without end — lasting far too long
• paraleloadjectiveparallel — running side by side without converging; also fig. occurring simultaneously
• sombríoadjectivegloomy — dark; also fig. pessimistic or depressing in outlook
• irónicoadjectiveironic — meaning the opposite of the literal; using irony
• tenueadjectivefaint, tenuous — weak in intensity; barely perceptible
• huecoadjectivehollow — having an empty space inside; also fig. lacking real substance
• sueltoadjectiveloose — not firmly fixed; also fig. lacking rigour or coherence