existence
n.-
1 the state of being real (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe fact of being real or living.
the state of being, existing, or occurring in reality.
ExampleScientists are still looking for proof of the existence of life on other planets.
ExampleThe discovery of these ancient ruins finally confirmed the existence of a sophisticated civilisation that had previously been considered mythical.
- nonexistence
- nothingness
-
2 a way of living (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea particular way of life, especially a difficult one.
a specific mode of living or staying alive, often used to describe a person's daily life or survival.
ExampleThe family led a quiet existence in a small village by the sea.
ExampleAfter the economic collapse, many families were forced into a precarious existence, relying entirely on seasonal agricultural work to survive.
From Middle English existence, from Old French existence, from Late Latin existentia (“existence”), from existēns, from existō, exsistō (“I am, I exist”), from ex (“out”) + sistere (“to set, place”) (related to stare (“to stand, to be stood”)), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European stísteh₂ti, from the root steh₂- (“stand”). Cognate with Spanish existencia, French existence, German Existenz. Morphologically exist + -ence.
- Nouncoexistence
- Nounexistence