exist

verb

ex·​ist ig-ˈzist 

existed; existing; exists

intransitive verb

1

a

: to have real being whether material or spiritual

did unicorns exist

the largest galaxy known to exist

b

: to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions

strange ideas existed in his mind

2

: to continue to be

racism still exists in society

3

a

: to have life or the functions of vitality

we cannot exist without oxygen

b

: to live at an inferior level or under adverse circumstances

the hungry existing from day to day

Synonyms

• be
• breathe
• live
• subsist

Examples of exist in a Sentence

She believes that ghosts really do exist.

It's the largest galaxy known to exist.

Does life exist on Mars?

The Internet didn't exist then.

We shouldn't ignore the problems that exist in our own community.

Racism still exists in our society.

The organization may soon cease to exist if more funding isn't provided.

Recent Examples on the Web

But one former chair of the Citizens Advisory Board said the two can and have existed side-by-side. —Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024

Though older iterations of it might exist in other parts of the world, few repeaters of the proverb in century's past likely understood the full extent of just how beneficial to health apples really are. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024

The lawsuit alleges that the two budget bills violated the Idaho Constitution and case law that has existed for over 100 years stating that appropriations — or budget — bills are not allowed to modify general law. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 26 Apr. 2024

The same could scarcely be said of his daughter, Indira Gandhi, who followed soon after as prime minister and initiated a steep decline from such democratic norms as existed under Nehru. —Ashoka Mody, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024

Where recordings existed, officials denied releasing them to the public 67% of the time. —Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024

Sadly, very little documentation exists today that proves Boone was able to capitalize upon her feat and commercialize her creation. —Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 26 Apr. 2024

An increase over your purchase price results in an unrealized capital gain (a profit that exists on paper but hasn’t been cashed in yet), while a decrease indicates an unrealized loss. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

The enactment of the SAFER Banking Act would positively change the broken cannabis financial ecosystem that exists today. —Alissa Jubelirer, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French exister, borrowed from Latin existere, exsistere "to come into view, appear, show oneself, come into being" (Late Latin, "to have real being, be, be present"), from ex- ex- entry 1 + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" — more at assist entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

exist

verb

ex·​ist ig-ˈzist 

1

: to have actual being : be real

do unicorns exist?

2

: to continue to be

as long as doubt exists

3

: to continue to live : stay alive

earned barely enough to exist on