status quo

American  

[kwoh] / kwoʊ /

noun

1. the existing state or condition.

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status quo British  

/ kwəʊ /

noun

1. the existing state of affairs

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status quo Cultural  

1. The existing order of things; present customs, practices, and power relations: “People with money are often content with the status quo.” From Latin, meaning “the state in which.”

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status quo Idioms  

1. The existing condition or state of affairs, as in We don't want to admit more singers to the chorus; we like the status quo. This term, Latin for “state in which,” has been used in English since the early 1800s.

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Etymology

Origin of status quo

First recorded in 1825–35, status quo is from Latin status quō literally, “state in which”

Example Sentences

So right now, Oracle looks ready to provide either a status quo update to ongoing capex growth or a larger number.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

“People are sick and tired of a broken status quo; they’re ready for change.”

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

Voters in California and Iowa show unhappiness with the status quo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

He said, “I’m not going to Washington to sit quietly, protect the status quo, or wait my turn.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

But when my father and Dr. King became colleagues and decided to bridge their two philosophies and unite the American commonwealth toward a greater goal, they both became tremendous threats to the status quo.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status