exist

verb ex·ist \ ig-ˈzist \

Definition of exist

intransitive verb

1 a :to have real being whether material or spiritual

did unicorns exist

the largest galaxy known to exist

b :to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions

strange ideas existed in his mind

2 :to continue to be

racism still exists in society

3 a :to have life or the functions of vitality

we cannot exist without oxygen

b :to live at an inferior level or under adverse circumstances

the hungry existing from day to day

See exist defined for English-language learners

See exist defined for kids

Examples of exist in a Sentence

She believes that ghosts really do exist.
It's the largest galaxy known to exist.
Does life exist on Mars?
The Internet didn't exist then.
We shouldn't ignore the problems that exist in our own community.
Racism still exists in our society.
The organization may soon cease to exist if more funding isn't provided.

Recent Examples of exist from the Web

Racial disparities also existed in the results of surveys commissioned by the city, the report notes.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
In addition to 412 new apartment units, that number also counts 305 rehabilitated, existing single-family houses and 220 apartments, as well as 326 down payment assistance payments for homebuyers.

— ely portillo, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte has enough housing for moderate-income people. Low income? That’s different," 28 Aug. 2017
Prices were already climbing due to pre-existing refinery issues in the region.

— elizabeth koh and sydney pereira, miamiherald, "Hurricane Harvey isn’t hitting Florida — but it may hit gas prices," 25 Aug. 2017
The minor did not suffer serious injury but did have a pre-existing foot condition, Idaho State Police said.

— ruth brown, idahostatesman, "Juvenile struck by vehicle on Boise Connector during rainstorm," 25 Aug. 2017
The sixth=generation fighter will incorporate a number of new technologies that for now exist only on the drawing board.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The F-22 Raptor's Replacement Is Starting to Take Shape," 23 Aug. 2017
To create county routes that are more direct, Graham said the plan is to shorten the existing nine routes and break them up into 14 routes.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "Public meetings open on Howard regional transit proposals," 22 Aug. 2017
Nowadays, Sloanes still exist in some forms (Kate Middleton might be one, York says, but Pippa not so much).

— olivia blair, Town & Country, "Looking Back at the Official Sloane Ranger Handbook 35 Years Later," 18 Aug. 2017
The horse races lasted until 1960, the agricultural show still exists.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Oktoberfest in Sayler Park Aug. 26," 16 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of exist

Latin exsistere to come into being, exist, from ex- + sistere to stand, stop; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1568

See Words from the same year

exist Synonyms

Synonyms

breathe, be, live, subsist

Antonyms

depart, die, expire, pass away, perish, succumb

Related Words

abide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep (on), kick, last, lead, persist, rule, run on, survive; move; flourish, prosper, thrive

Near Antonyms

disappear, evaporate, vanish; cease, desist, discontinue, end, quit, stop; abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

EXIST Defined for English Language Learners

exist

verb

Definition of exist for English Language Learners

: to have actual being : to be real
: to continue to be or to live

EXIST Defined for Kids

exist

verb ex·ist \ ig-ˈzist \

Definition of exist for Students

existed; existing

1 :to have actual being :be real

Do unicorns exist?

2 :to be found :occur

Problems exist in every neighborhood.

3 :to continue to live

She barely earned enough to exist.

Word Root of exist

The Latin word sistere, meaning “to stand,” “to appear,” “to stop,” or “to put,” gives us the root sist. Words from the Latin sistere have something to do with standing, appearing, stopping, or putting. To assist, or help, is to stand by someone in order to give aid. To consist is to be made up of a number of thing put together. To exist, or have actual being, is to appear real. To persist is to refuse to stop doing or saying something.