existent

adjective

ex·​is·​tent ig-ˈzi-stənt How to pronounce existent (audio)
1
: having being : existing
2
: existing now : present
existent methods of flood control
existent noun

Examples of existent in a Sentence

I think we should improve existent parks rather than create new ones. to some people, angels are as existent as aardvarks or astronomers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Laura Lee Yourex, 62, of Costa Mesa, was charged with five felonies, including perjury, procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed, casting a ballot when not entitled to vote and registering a non-existent person to vote. Riley Hoffman, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025 Prosecutors said in a press release that Laura Lee Yourex, 62, faces five felony counts, including perjury, offering a false or forged document for filing, casting a ballot when not entitled to vote, and registering a non-existent person to vote. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 The Jayhawks finished the night with 254 total yards of offense, namely due to a non-existent running game. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025 Our work-life boundaries range from small to non-existent. Jill Ebstein, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for existent

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin existent-, existens/exsistent-, exsistens, from present participle of Latin existere, exsistere "to come into view, appear, show oneself, come into being" (Late Latin, "to have real being, be, be present") — more at exist

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of existent was in 1535

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Existent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existent. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

existent

adjective
ex·​ist·​ent
ig-ˈzis-tənt
1
: having being
2
: existing now : extant

More from Merriam-Webster on existent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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