beingness

noun

be·​ing·​ness
ˈbē(-i)ŋ-nəs
: the quality, state, or condition of having existence
It has a crystalline, heartbreaking purity, that ontological beauty … of each object resonating in its beingnessPhillip Lopate, Slate Magazine, 19 Mar. 2001
Blue collar or white, teacher or cabbie, her friends judge her and themselves by their beingness. Nora Watson, a young journalist, recounts a party game: Who Are You? Older people respond with their job titles: I'm a copy writer. I'm an accountant. The young say: I'm me, my name is so-and-so.Studs Terkel, New York Times, 19 Mar. 1973

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near beingness

Cite this Entry

“Beingness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beingness. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!