existence
/ɪɡˈzɪs.təns/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Existence is the state of being real or alive. It can also mean the fact that something is present or happens.
- Many people question the existence of ghosts.
- The existence of the problem became clear later.
- We need proof of the company's existence.
Adinary Nuance
Existence is more abstract than life and more formal than being. Use it when you mean the fact that something is real, present, or alive. It often appears in academic, legal, or philosophical writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự tồn tại
- Spanish
- existencia
- Chinese
- 存在
- Japanese
- 存在
- Korean
- 존재
Etymology
Existence comes from Latin existentia, from existere meaning 'to come out' or 'to appear'. It entered English through French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
existence ofin existencebring into existencethreaten the existence of
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is existence a formal word?
- Yes. It is common in formal writing, study, and serious conversation.
- What is the difference between existence and life?
- Life usually means living things. Existence means the fact of being real or present.
- Can I use existence for things that are not alive?
- Yes. You can say the existence of a building, problem, or law.
- Is existence common in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It is useful for academic topics and formal arguments.