existence
gb/ɪɡzˈɪstəns/ us/ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
B1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
state of being alive or real
The state of being alive or being real.
Usage pattern:
[someone's/something's] existence
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'existence' with 'life'; 'life' often refers to experiences and duration, while 'existence' focuses on the fact of being.
Synonyms
being (More general; can refer to a living creature or the state of existing.)
|
presence (Emphasizes being in a place rather than simply being alive.)
Antonyms
nonexistence (The complete absence of life or reality.)
Collocations
human existence
|continued existence
|threat to existence
|proof of existence
Themes
life
|philosophy
|reality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The existence of water on Mars has been confirmed.
- Her very existence was a comfort to him.
- Many species are struggling for existence due to climate change.
- Proof of his existence came in the form of old letters.
Learner examples
- My dog’s existence makes me happy.
- We talked about the existence of life on other planets.
- She was thankful for her existence.
- The story is about the existence of magic.
Noun
B2
entity
2
way of living or surviving
A way of living, often hard or simple.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] [adjective] existence
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'existence' when 'life' is more natural in casual speech.
Synonyms
life (Commonly used, but 'existence' can sound more detached or neutral.)
|
lifestyle (Focuses more on habits and choices rather than mere survival.)
Antonyms
luxury (Represents ease and comfort instead of hardship.)
Collocations
hard existence
|lonely existence
|peaceful existence
Themes
daily life
|sociology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They endured a harsh existence in the desert.
- His quiet existence was interrupted by unexpected visitors.
- The refugees had a precarious existence in the camp.
Learner examples
- She has a simple existence in the countryside.
- They lived a poor existence for many years.
- He enjoyed a peaceful existence by the sea.
Noun
technical
B2
state
3
fact of something being present
The fact that something is there or happens.
Usage pattern:
the existence of [something]
Synonyms
presence (Similar meaning but often less formal than 'existence' in technical contexts.)
Antonyms
absence (The state of not being present.)
Collocations
evidence for existence
|possibility of existence
Themes
science
|logic
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The experiment proved the existence of a new particle.
- There is no evidence for the existence of ghosts.
- The law acknowledges the existence of digital contracts.
Learner examples
- Scientists study the existence of new planets.
- We don’t know about the existence of aliens.
- The police found proof of the suspect’s existence in the city.
Grammar
Dictionary form
existence
IPA
GB/ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
US/ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
Syllables & stress
ex - ist - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ist)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: existence
- Plural: existence, existences
Word family
Forms
existences
noun
Core family
exist
verb A2
existing
adjective
Related words
coexist
verb
coexistence
noun
Negative and opposite forms
nonexistent
adjective
nonexistence
noun
Advanced or less common
existent
adjective
existential
adjective C1
Expressions
come into existence
1/kˈʌm ˈɪntu ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
fixed phrase
begin to exist or appear
To start to be real or to happen for the first time.
Examples
- The company came into existence in 1995.
- Many traditions came into existence hundreds of years ago.
fight for one's existence
1/fˈaɪt fɚ wˈʌnz ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
fixed phrase
struggle to stay alive or continue existing
To try very hard to stay alive or keep something from ending.
Examples
- The small shop is fighting for its existence against large chains.
- Wild animals fight for their existence every day.
in existence
1/ˈɪn ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
fixed phrase
currently existing or present
Being alive, real, or present now.
Examples
- This is the oldest known tree in existence.
- Only two copies are still in existence.
spring into existence
1/spɹˈɪŋ ˈɪntu ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
fixed phrase
suddenly begin to exist or appear
To start to be real very suddenly.
Examples
- New businesses seemed to spring into existence overnight.
- A solution sprang into existence in his mind.