meaningful existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meaningful existence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the significance or purpose of life or experiences. For example, "Many people seek a meaningful existence through their relationships and contributions to society." Alternative expressions include "significant life" and "purposeful life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The story describes the empty despair of suburbia, the lack of meaningful existence, of romance and human dignity.

The New Yorker

Their story focuses on courtship, marriage, and the ordinary incidents of family life, which, in spite of many difficulties, shape real happiness and a meaningful existence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Taylor does not attack the bad reduction case by case, but proceeds as if it were generally already winning — as if it were already vitiating the prospects of a moral and meaningful existence.

The New Yorker

Here is an irresistible force capable of opposing the immovable object of his father, but even Niru's would-be lover can't persuade him to believe in a meaningful existence outside the older man's approval.

The New Yorker

But they do perfectly represent the elements out of which each of us -- however we differ -- tries to fashion a meaningful existence, one that looks characteristically American whether we mean it to or not.

The New York Times

Modern medicine has much to offer to critically ill patients, but too often life-supporting technologies are employed with little or no hope of recovering to a meaningful existence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

As millennials and Gen Xers strive toward having more meaningful existences, we will see even less ownership of homes, vehicles and materialistic possessions.

TechCrunch

I could make meaningful my existence with some lusty Greenpoint bellowing.

Huffington Post

Sgt. Pepper serves as the colorful soundtrack to a brief moment in history when millions of Baby Boomers around the world questioned the dull, destructive ways of post-war Western culture and sought with or without drugs transcendent experiences and a more meaningful, authentic existence.

Huffington Post

The question that has barely begun to be asked is whether the categories that make that existence meaningful - the division between human and non-human in particular - can be abstracted from their given biological base, or whether in doing so we start to undermine the basis by which we live.

The Guardian - Opinion

If actors need an audience to make their existence meaningful, as The Player suggests they do in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, then it must be a very happy and fulfilled bunch of actors treading the boards at the Sydney Theatre Company.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like 'fashion', 'seek' or 'recover' to indicate a process of attainment.

Common error

Do not confuse "meaningful existence" with simple 'usefulness'. While an object can be useful, it rarely possesses an 'existence' in the existential sense the phrase implies. Reserve it for conscious beings or complex social structures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meaningful existence" serves as a noun phrase where the adjective 'meaningful' modifies the abstract noun 'existence'. According to Ludwig, it often acts as the direct object of verbs related to searching, creating or losing. In the examples provided by Ludwig AI, it functions as a target state that characters or subjects strive to achieve.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meaningful existence" is a sophisticated and widely accepted phrase in English, particularly within academic and literary circles. As shown by Ludwig AI, the phrase is frequently used to describe the human struggle for purpose in modern society. It is most effective when used in formal contexts to discuss ethics, psychology or philosophy. While synonymous with terms like "purposeful life", it carries a more profound ontological weight, focusing on the essence of being rather than just the actions of living.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purposeful life

Focuses more on the active agency of the individual rather than the state of being.

life of meaning

A prepositional variation that places more weight on the concept of meaning itself.

significant life

Emphasizes the impact or importance of one's life in a broader context.

fulfilling existence

Highlights the internal satisfaction and contentment of the subject.

worthwhile existence

Suggests that the life has value that justifies the effort of living.

reason for being

An English translation of the French 'raison d'être' focusing on the core justification for existence.

substantive life

Implicitly contrasts with a superficial or empty way of living.

impactful presence

Focuses on the effect an individual has on their environment.

enriching life

Implies a life that is full of depth and intellectual or spiritual growth.

intentional living

Refers to the process of making conscious choices to align with one's values.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "meaningful existence"?

Depending on your specific tone, you can use alternatives like "purposeful life", "fulfilling existence" or "significant life".

Is "meaningful existence" formal?

Yes, it is considered formal and academic. It is frequently found in philosophical texts like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and literary magazines such as The New Yorker.

How do you use "meaningful existence" in a sentence?

A typical usage would be: "She left her corporate career to seek a more "meaningful existence" in the nonprofit sector".

What is the difference between a "meaningful existence" and a "purposeful life"?

While similar, "purposeful life" often implies having specific goals, whereas "meaningful existence" is broader, referring to a general sense of value and ontological significance.