# nonexistent

/ˌnɑnəɡˈzɪstənt/ (US) · /nˌɒnɛɡzˈɪstənt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nonexistent
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

not real or not present at all. You use this to describe something that does not exist in a certain place or situation.

For teachers: not existing or not present in a particular place or context. Often used to describe abstract qualities or physical objects that are completely absent.

## Examples

- The security at the old building is almost nonexistent.
- The company promised high salaries, but the actual benefits for new employees were nonexistent.
- While the author claims the book is based on historical facts, any evidence for these events is nonexistent in the official records of the era.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The problem is none-existent." but "The problem is nonexistent." — Learners sometimes add a hyphen or misspell the prefix; 'nonexistent' is the standard spelling in modern English.

## Usage notes

- Typically used predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become', but can also appear attributively before a noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.