exist
ihg-ZIHST
Exist (verb) means to be real; to have actual being. Example: “Dragons do not exist, but children still love stories about them.”
verb
1
To be real; to have actual being.
"Dragons do not exist, but children still love stories about them."
"Scientists still debate whether life exists elsewhere in the universe."
"That law no longer exists — it was repealed years ago."
How to use exist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo be real or to be present in the world.
Common pairings
cease to exist
continue to exist
exist independently
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- exists
- Past tense
- existed
- Archaic forms
- existest, existedst, existeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Dragons do not _____, but children still love stories about them.
Etymology
From Latin exsistere, "to come into being, appear," from ex- ("out") plus sistere ("to stand, place").
Related words
Rhymes for exist
See all rhymes for exist →Frequently asked questions
What does “exist” mean?
The word “exist” means to be real; to have actual being. In plain terms, to be real or to be present in the world.
How do you pronounce “exist”?
“Exist” is pronounced ihg-ZIHST (/ɪɡˈzɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “exist” in a sentence?
Here is “exist” used in a sentence: “Scientists still debate whether life exists elsewhere in the universe.”
What is the opposite of “exist”?
The opposite of “exist” — its antonyms — are cease, unexist and void.
What part of speech is “exist”?
“Exist” is a verb.
Where does the word “exist” come from?
The word “exist” comes from Latin. From Latin exsistere, "to come into being, appear," from ex- ("out") plus sistere ("to stand, place").
Is “exist” a common word?
“Exist” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'exist' and 'live'?
To exist is simply to be real, to have actual being — rocks, ideas, and numbers all exist. To live is narrower: to be alive as an organism, or to reside somewhere. Everything that lives exists, but many things exist without being alive. 'Just existing' also implies getting by without truly living.
What is the opposite of 'exist'?
The opposite is to not be real or to stop being — expressed by phrases like 'cease to exist', or verbs such as vanish, perish, or disappear. Where existence means having actual being, its reverse is absence or nonexistence, having no reality at all.
Can something exist without being seen?
Yes. Existence means having real being, and that does not depend on anyone observing it. Distant planets, deep-sea creatures, and microscopic organisms all existed long before we detected them. Something can be entirely real and unseen; being noticed is separate from existing.
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