existent

adjective

ex·​is·​tent ig-ˈzi-stənt How to pronounce existent (audio)
1
: having being : existing
2
: existing now : present
existent methods of flood control
existent noun

Examples of existent in a Sentence

I think we should improve existent parks rather than create new ones. to some people, angels are as existent as aardvarks or astronomers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Details are next to non-existent at this point, but the announcement has some wondering if the vehicle could be the follow-up, spiritual or otherwise, to the second-generation GT. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2025 One user, surnamed Zhao, told CNN that the two apps enabled friends to meet especially in the less cosmopolitan parts of the country where places for gay people to gather are almost non-existent. Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025 The faction's future is non-existent, as both Baszler and Deville have since been cut from the WWE roster. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025 The evidence for these claims has always been thin to non-existent. Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for existent

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin existent-, existens/exsistent-, exsistens, from present participle of Latin existere, exsistere "to come into view, appear, show oneself, come into being" (Late Latin, "to have real being, be, be present") — more at exist

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of existent was in 1535

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Existent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existent. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

existent

adjective
ex·​ist·​ent
ig-ˈzis-tənt
1
: having being
2
: existing now : extant

More from Merriam-Webster on existent

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