non-existent
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not existing or not real: "non-existent" describes something that does not exist in reality or is absent from a particular context.
- Lacking presence: It can refer to something that is missing or not present where it is expected.
Usage Examples
- (The proof does not exist at all.)
- (Internet access is absent or not available.)
- (She had no enthusiasm; it was completely lacking.)
Advanced Usage
"to be non-existent": a common phrase indicating total absence.
- The possibility of a refund was non-existent according to the policy. (There was no possibility; it did not exist.)
"virtually non-existent": used to emphasize that something is almost entirely absent.
- Public transport in the rural village is virtually non-existent. (There is almost no public transport available.)
Variants and Related Words
Non-existence (noun): the state of not existing.
- The non-existence of a clear plan led to confusion. (The lack of a plan caused problems.)
Existent (adj): the opposite, meaning existing or real.
- The existent problems must be addressed immediately. (The problems that are real and present.)
Synonyms
- Absent: not present or not existing.
- Nonexistent: (alternative spelling) having no reality or presence.
- Imaginary: existing only in the mind, not in reality (though often used for things that are believed but not real).
Related Idioms
A figment of the imagination: something that is not real and exists only in thought.
- The ghost he claimed to see was a figment of his imagination, completely non-existent. (It was not real.)
Nowhere to be found: something that cannot be located or does not exist.
- The missing key was nowhere to be found; it was non-existent in the house. (It was absent.)
Phrasal Verbs
- (No common phrasal verbs specifically use "non-existent" as a base; however, the adjective often pairs with verbs like "prove" or "seem".)
- The solution proved non-existent after all attempts failed. (The solution did not exist.)