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

Status quo defenders say the ultralow pay befits a citizen legislature.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

Status quo bias leads people to favor their current way of doing things and discount other possibilities.

From Slate • Dec. 3, 2024

Status quo bias explains our reluctance to change.

From New York Times • Feb. 26, 2023

“We are not helping these students succeed. Status quo is simply not acceptable,” trustee Peter J. Taylor said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2017

It is furthermore stipulated that the Status quo with reference to the position of the Minister for Foreign affairs and the Ambassadors should remain intact.

From The Swedish-Norwegian Union Crisis A History with Documents by Nordlund, Karl

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status