exist

verb

ex·​ist ig-ˈzist 

existed; existing; exists

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.

problems that exist in our own community

2

: to continue to be

Inequality 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

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

Self-cleaning and self-maintaining public restrooms do exist, and other communities in the nation use them. —Michael Perkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026

Requirements for existing homes vary by location, with many major cities setting a compliance deadline of February 2027. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026

Adams and his parents want to open a pathway that didn’t exist when Adams was a prospect. —New York Daily News, 9 May 2026

India’s environment court, the National Green Tribunal, has previously flagged regulatory gaps in the textile sector, noting that some units continue to discharge untreated effluent despite existing rules. —Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 9 May 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