existence

existence — noun

1. the fact that someone or something is alive or really present in the world

1.nounB1
Definition

the fact that someone or something is alive or really present in the world

Example

Tariro discovered the existence of ancient Roman coins buried in his backyard.

the existence of — noun phrase followed by prepositional object

Before telescopes, the existence of distant planets was a complete mystery to people.

Common collocations
  • the existence of
  • come into existence
  • in existence
  • prove the existence
  • confirm the existence
  • discover the existence
  • deny the existence
  • doubt the existence
Synonyms
  • being

    more abstract and philosophical; focuses on the essence of what something is

  • reality

    emphasises that something is actual rather than imagined

  • presence

    suggests something is currently in a place rather than merely existing somewhere

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the existence of

come into existence

in existence

Usage Note

Commonly paired with 'the' when referring to a specific fact (the existence of life on Mars). Also appears in fixed phrases like come into existence and in existence.

Common Mistakes

There is an existence of a problem.
There is a problem.
In most contexts, using 'the existence of' is more natural than 'an existence of'.

2. a particular kind of life that someone lives, especially one that is difficult,

2.nounB2
Definition

a particular kind of life that someone lives, especially one that is difficult, boring, or unhappy

Example

Eri's daily existence consisted of waking up, going to work, and sleeping again.

adjective + existence — describing the quality of a daily routine

Lien dreamed of a peaceful existence on a quiet island far from the busy city.

Common collocations
  • daily existence
  • quiet existence
  • simple existence
  • peaceful existence
  • miserable existence
  • boring existence
  • escape an existence
  • dream of an existence
Synonyms
  • life

    broader and more neutral; does not carry the same implication of difficulty or boredom

  • lifestyle

    focuses on choices and habits rather than the general experience of living

  • living

    emphasises how someone earns or spends their days

  • way of life

    more formal; refers to habits, customs, and routines as a whole

Grammar Patterns

adjective + existence

possessive + existence

Usage Note

Almost always modified by an adjective or possessive that describes the quality of life (quiet existence, daily existence, her miserable existence). Without a modifier, it may sound incomplete.

Common Mistakes

He had existence.
He had a quiet existence.
This sense almost always needs an adjective or possessive to specify what kind of life.

Word family

  • exist
    verbB1
  • existing
    adjectiveB1
  • existent
    adjectiveB2
  • nonexistent
    adjectiveB2
  • coexistence
    nounC1
  • existential
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Existence is the broadest and most neutral term: it simply names the fact that something is real or alive. Being is more philosophical, often referring to the essence or nature of what something fundamentally is — you talk about 'the meaning of being' but not 'the meaning of existence' in the same abstract way. Reality emphasises the concrete world as it actually is, in contrast to imagination or illusion: 'He lost touch with reality.' Presence focuses on being physically located in a specific place at a specific time, carrying a sense of immediacy: 'Her presence filled the room.' While existence is about whether something is real at all, presence is about being here now.

existence ↗being ↗reality ↗presence ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • fact of existence
  • proof of existence
  • state of existence

Phrases

  • come into existence
  • bring into existence
  • in existence

Prepositions

  • in existence
  • into existence

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Existence comes from the Latin word exsistere, meaning 'to come forth, appear, or become visible.' It was formed from ex- ('out') and sistere ('to stand or cause to stand'). The word entered English through French in the late 1300s, originally carrying the sense of 'to appear' or 'to emerge.' Over time, its meaning shifted from 'becoming visible' to the more general sense of 'being real' that we use today.