Langimage
English

nonexistence

|non-ex-is-tence|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˌnɑːnɪɡˈzɪstəns/

🇬🇧

/ˌnɒnɪɡˈzɪstəns/

absence of existence

Etymology
Etymology Information

'nonexistence' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'nonexistentia,' where 'non-' meant 'not' and 'existentia' meant 'existence.'

Historical Evolution

'nonexistentia' transformed into the French word 'nonexistence,' and eventually became the modern English word 'nonexistence' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'the state of not existing,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

the state or fact of not existing or being.

The nonexistence of evidence made the case difficult to solve.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35