Ed Sheeran, who was also nominated in the same heavy categories as Adele, had to content himself with being named composer of the year.
Abba was nominated in the category of best international group, but that award went to the American r'n'b group Silk Sonic / Bruno Mars / Anderson Paak.
Abba was nominated in the same category in 1977 when the first Brit Awards gala took place.
This year, the Brit Awards have abolished gender-segregated categories, which means that male and female artists compete against each other.