DictionaryAI

existence

noun
eg-ZIS-tuhns/ɛɡˈzɪs.təns/UKig-ZIS-tuhns/ɪɡˈzɪs.təns/

2 meanings of existence

Practice

  1. 1
    being realnoununcountable
    The fact that something is real or is present in the world.

    Like the line between something that is real and something that is only imagined.

    She always doubted the existence of ghosts.

    The small village has been in existence for hundreds of years.

    UsageOften in existence (still there) or come into existence (start to be).

    Similarpresence, being

    Oppositenonexistence, absence

  2. 2
    physical worldnoununcountable
    All the things that exist.

    Some thinkers believe that all of existence is made of matter and nothing else.

    Some people wonder how all of existence began.

    Similarreality, universe, world

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of existence apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin, from a word meaning "to exist" or "I am," built from parts meaning "out" and "to stand." It reached English through Old French.

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 4 facts