Definition

1. Intransitive Verb:
   • To have objective reality or being: To be present in the real world, to have actuality. This is the most fundamental meaning, indicating that something is real or present.
   • To have life or the state of being alive: To live, especially under difficult or minimal conditions. This usage often implies a struggle to maintain life with basic necessities.

Examples of Usage

• Intransitive Verb:
  • Do you believe that ghosts exist? (This asks about the objective reality of ghosts.)
  • The problem only exists in your imagination. (This indicates the problem is not objectively real.)
  • These animals exist only in remote rainforests. (This describes where the animals have their being or are found.)
  • They exist on a diet of rice and vegetables. (This describes maintaining life with minimal resources.)

Advanced Usage

• "to exist as": to have a specific form, nature, or identity.
  • The organization exists as a non-profit charity. (The organization has the nature or form of a charity.)
• "exist for": to have a specific purpose.
  • The committee exists for the sole purpose of reviewing safety protocols. (The committee's reason for being is to review protocols.)

Variants and Related Words

• Existence (n): The state or fact of existing or living.
  • The existence of water on Mars is a major scientific question.
• Existent (adj): Having existence; existing.
  • Check the list for any existent errors.
• Existing (adj): Currently present or in operation.
  • We will modify the existing system.

Synonyms

• Be: The most general synonym for having reality or life.
• Live: To be alive; often used interchangeably with 'exist' when referring to life.
• Subsist: To maintain life at a minimal level, often with difficulty.

Related Phrases

• Come into existence: To begin to exist; to be created or born.
  • The universe came into existence billions of years ago.
• Cease to exist: To stop existing; to end or die out.
  • Many ancient languages have ceased to exist.

Related Idioms

• Exist on a shoestring: To manage to live or operate with very little money.
  • The small theater company exists on a shoestring budget.
• Exist in a vacuum: To exist or occur in isolation, without connection to other things.
  • No scientific theory exists in a vacuum; it builds on previous work.

Verb

1. support oneself
   • he could barely exist on such a low wage
   • Can you live on $2000 a month in New York City?
   • Many people in the world have to subsist on $1 a day
2. have an existence, be extant
   • Is there a God?