Origin: Latin suffix -ence
Existence has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
the state or fact of existing
"a point of view gradually coming into being"
"laws in existence for centuries"
"he appeared on the face of the earth one day"
The state of being, existing, or occurring; beinghood.
"After years of doubt, she finally felt a profound sense of existence when her newborn daughter took its first breath."
In plain English: Existence is the state of being real and present in the world.
"Many people doubt the existence of ghosts."
Usage: Use existence to describe the simple fact that something is real and present, rather than focusing on its specific qualities or actions. It refers to the state of being itself, such as when you note that a company's existence was confirmed by its registration.
The word "existence" entered English from Old French and Late Latin, where it originally described the state of being present or standing out. Its roots trace back to a verb meaning "to stand," reflecting the idea of something that has emerged or been set in place.