A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Examples include actor, building, ticket, and delight. A common noun is a general name for a person, place, thing, or idea.A propernoun is the name of a particular one. For example, theater is a common noun; Palace Theate r is a proper noun. noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Examples include actor, building, ticket, and delight. A common noun is a general name for a person, place, thing, or idea.