First Known Use: circa 1568
Dictionary
exist
verb ex·ist \ig-ˈzist\
: to have actual being : to be real
: to continue to be or to live
Full Definition of EXIST
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>
2
: to continue to be <racism 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>
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Origin of EXIST
Latin exsistere to come into being, exist, from ex- + sistere to stand, stop; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand
Related to EXIST
Rhymes with EXIST
EXISTING Defined for Kids
exist
verb ex·ist \ig-ˈzist\
ex·ist·edex·ist·ing
Definition of EXIST for Kids
1
: to have actual being : be real <Do unicorns exist?>
2
: to be found : occur <Problems exist in every neighborhood.>
3
: to continue to live <She barely earned enough to exist.>
Word Root of EXIST
The Latin word sistere, meaning “to stand,” “to appear,” “to stop,” or “to put,” gives us the root sist. Words from the Latin sistere have something to do with standing, appearing, stopping, or putting. To assist, or help, is to stand by someone in order to give aid. To consist is to be made up of a number of thing put together. To exist, or have actual being, is to appear real. To persist is to refuse to stop doing or saying something.
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