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Definition of exist

exist

/ɪɡˈzɪst/
ex · ist
Adjective:existent
•
Past Simple:existed
•
Past Participle:existed
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Present Participle:existing
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exist Lexical Profile

exist Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To have objective reality or being; to be actual rather than imagined.

Example

"Scientists have long debated whether intelligent life could exist on other planets."

2

To continue to stay alive or maintain life, especially under adverse or minimal conditions.

Example

"The stranded hikers managed to exist on wild berries and stream water for four days."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for exist
Antonyms
View all antonyms for exist

Word Nuance & Usage

'Exist' is a stative verb and is almost never used in continuous (progressive) tenses (e.g., say 'this problem exists', not 'this problem is existing').

• Rhymes for exist

• Nearby Words

exhume
exhumer
exile
exist
existence
existent
existential

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from French exister or directly from Latin existere ('to step forth, emerge, appear, be'), formed from ex- ('forth') and sistere ('to cause to stand').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Exist. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/exist
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