non-existence

IPA/ˌnɒn ɪɡˈzɪstəns/
IPA/ˌnɑːn ɪɡˈzɪstəns/

non-existence — noun

1. the state in which a person, thing, or idea does not exist at all, or is only im

1.nounC1
Definition

the state in which a person, thing, or idea does not exist at all, or is only imagined rather than real

Example

The report confirmed the non-existence of any school records before 1950.

confirm the non-existence of + noun phrase

Police cited the non-existence of camera footage from the broken system.

formal pattern: the non-existence of evidence

Common collocations
  • the non-existence of evidence
  • the non-existence of records
  • prove the non-existence of
  • confirm the non-existence of
Synonyms
  • absence

    more general and common; often means something is not present, not that it has no reality

  • lack

    usually focuses on something needed but missing, with a less formal tone

  • unreality

    focuses more on something seeming unreal than on literal absence

Antonyms
  • existence

    the direct opposite meaning of being real or present

  • reality

    emphasizes actual truth or real presence

Grammar Patterns

the non-existence of + noun

prove the non-existence of + noun

confirm the non-existence of + noun

Usage Note

Usually appears in formal statements, arguments, and reports rather than everyday conversation. It most often occurs before 'of' plus a noun naming something said to be absent, unreal, or impossible to prove.

Common Mistakes

The witness proved non-existence of the file.
The witness proved the non-existence of the file.
This noun normally takes 'the' in the common pattern 'the non-existence of ...'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Non-existence' is the most formal and abstract of these words. It is used when something is said not to exist at all, or not to be real, often in legal, academic, or philosophical contexts. 'Absence' is broader and more everyday: it usually means someone or something is not present where expected. 'Lack' focuses on not having enough of something needed, such as money or sleep. 'Unreality' points to a dreamlike or false quality rather than simple absence. You might write about the non-existence of proof in a report, but the absence of a teacher from class or the lack of clean water in a village.

non-existence ↗absence ↗lack ↗unreality

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • prove the non-existence of
  • confirm the non-existence of
  • argue for the non-existence of

Prepositions

  • the non-existence of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Non-existence is formed in English from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'existence'. 'Existence' came into English through French from Latin roots meaning 'to appear' or 'to come into being'. Together, the compound names the condition of not being there or not being real.