coexist

American  

[koh-ig-zist] / ˌkoʊ ɪgˈzɪst /

verb (used without object)

coexists, present (3rd person singular) coexisted, past participle, past coexisting present participle

1. to exist together or at the same time.

2. to exist separately or independently but peaceably, often while remaining rivals or adversaries.

   Although their ideologies differ greatly, the two great powers must coexist.

---

coexist British  

/ ˌkəʊɪɡˈzɪst /

verb

1. to exist together at the same time or in the same place

2. to exist together in peace

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• coexistence
  noun
• coexistent
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• coexisting
  present
• coexisted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• coexist
  simple
• coexists
  simple
• have coexisted
  perfect
• has coexisted
  perfect
• am coexisting
  progressive
• are coexisting
  progressive
• is coexisting
  progressive
• have been coexisting
  perfect progressive
• has been coexisting
  perfect progressive

Past

• coexisted
  simple
• had coexisted
  perfect
• was coexisting
  progressive
• were coexisting
  progressive
• had been coexisting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will coexist
  simple
• will have coexisted
  perfect
• will be coexisting
  progressive
• will have been coexisting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of coexist

First recorded in 1670–80; co- + exist

Explanation

To coexist is to live in the same place or at the same time. If you, your roommate, and a cat all live in an apartment together, you can say the three of you coexist. You can use the verb coexist to simply mean "exist together," or it can mean something more specific — to live peacefully or tolerantly in the same place. Two countries might have to work to find a way to coexist despite years of conflict, for example. The word has been around since the 1600's, but it wasn't used in this second, diplomatic way until 1931. Coexist combines exist, "be" or "live," with the prefix co, "together."

Example Sentences

The cone of silence that’s followed the wedding is the only place in which these dueling Swifts can freely coexist.

From Salon • Jul. 9, 2026

A conservation approach once praised as a global model for helping people and predators coexist may be losing ground because of a lack of long-term government support, according to new research.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

At one point Neriya and her companions are ushered into the sanctum sanctorum of a corvid roost, where thousands if not millions of crows coexist in sophisticated collaboration.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Paradoxically, deep labour shortages coexist with high unemployment.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

“No mom, you don’t. I live in an ecotone. Employment must coexist with goofing off. Responsibility must coexist with irresponsibility.”

From "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Saenz