exist

verb

eg-ZIST/ɛɡˈzɪst/UKig-ZIST/ɪɡˈzɪst/

2 meanings of exist

1
be realverbintransitive
To be real or alive, or to be a thing in the world.
Like being really there, not just something you imagine.
Some people wonder whether life forms exist on other planets.
Dinosaurs existed millions of years before humans appeared.
UsageSay ghosts exist (not ~~incorrect: are existing~~).
Similarbe
2
barely surviveverbintransitive
To just manage to stay alive, often with very little money or food.
Nobody can exist on such a small wage.
They existed on bread and soup all winter.
Similarsurvive, subsist, live
Oppositethrive

Practice

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Origin

From Latin existō "I exist, appear, arise," made from ex "out" plus sistere "to set or place," which is related to "stand." It came into English through French exister.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

Exist derives ultimately from Latin existō, meaning to exist, appear, or arise. en.wiktionary.org
The Latin verb combines ex- and sistere, meaning to set or place. es.wiktionary.org
Latin ex means out. en.wiktionary.org
Sistere is related to a Latin verb meaning stand. en.wiktionary.org
The word entered English through French exister. en.wiktionary.org