Anglais

existence

gb/ɪɡzˈɪstəns/ us/ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
B1 Anglais
~ 1500
Sens
0 sens
Nom B1 state
1

state of being alive or real

The state of being alive or being real.

Schéma d’usage : [someone's/something's] existence
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'existence' with 'life'; 'life' often refers to experiences and duration, while 'existence' focuses on the fact of being.
Synonymes
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.)
Antonymes
nonexistence (The complete absence of life or reality.)
Collocations
human existence |continued existence |threat to existence |proof of existence
Thèmes
life |philosophy |reality |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • 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.
Nom B2 entity
2

way of living or surviving

A way of living, often hard or simple.

Schéma d’usage : [someone's] [adjective] existence
Erreur fréquente :
Some learners overuse 'existence' when 'life' is more natural in casual speech.
Synonymes
life (Commonly used, but 'existence' can sound more detached or neutral.) | lifestyle (Focuses more on habits and choices rather than mere survival.)
Antonymes
luxury (Represents ease and comfort instead of hardship.)
Collocations
hard existence |lonely existence |peaceful existence
Thèmes
daily life |sociology |daily_life |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • She has a simple existence in the countryside.
  • They lived a poor existence for many years.
  • He enjoyed a peaceful existence by the sea.
Nom technical B2 state
3

fact of something being present

The fact that something is there or happens.

Schéma d’usage : the existence of [something]
Synonymes
presence (Similar meaning but often less formal than 'existence' in technical contexts.)
Antonymes
absence (The state of not being present.)
Collocations
evidence for existence |possibility of existence
Thèmes
science |logic |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • 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.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
existence
API
GB/ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
US/ɪɡzˈɪstəns/
Syllabes et accentuation
ex - ist - ence (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ist)
Formes du mot
Noun
  • Base: existence
  • Plural: existence, existences
Famille de mots
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.

Exemples
  • 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.

Exemples
  • 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.

Exemples
  • 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.

Exemples
  • New businesses seemed to spring into existence overnight.
  • A solution sprang into existence in his mind.

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