exist

verb

ex·​ist ig-ˈzist 

existed; existing; exists

intransitive verb

1

a

: to have real being whether material or spiritual

She believes that ghosts really do 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.

problems that exist in our own community

2

: to continue to be

as long as doubt exists

Racism still exists in society.

3

a

: to have life or the functions of vitality

We cannot exist without oxygen.

b

: to live with little more than the minimum needed to survive especially under adverse circumstances

the hungry existing from day to day

Synonyms of exist

• live
• be

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 on the Web

It will soon be followed by Natural Selection, which is developing a new 500,000-acre game reserve around Angola’s existing Cuatir Reserve. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026

Other officeholders who are recalled, like lawmakers or other statewide officeholders, would be replaced using existing rules for addressing vacancies — either by appointment or through a special election. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2026

The bar exam exists to screen for competence before a lawyer is handed control over a client's property, money, freedom, children, etc. — Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026

With a group of other young, bright-eyed theater nerds, Kirk became an early member of the Naked Theater, a grassroots company that existed for just a few years. — Lucy Gellman, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French exister, borrowed from Latin existere, exsistere "to come into view, appear, show oneself, come into being" (Late Latin, "to have real being, be, be present"), from ex- ex- entry 1 + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" — more at assist entry 1

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for exist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids Definition

exist

verb

ex·​ist ig-ˈzist 

1

: to have actual being : be real

do unicorns exist?

2

: to continue to be

as long as doubt exists

3

: to continue to live : stay alive

earned barely enough to exist on