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

See Examples For:

status quo

He ordered the two sides to meet in hopes of preserving the status quo until he rules.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

"The status quo is not sustainable," she wrote.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

A Paramount spokesperson told Variety that the company is "grateful for the Court’s swift order" and underlined that it "preserves the status quo while the Court considers the antitrust issues presented."

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

There are signs of China’s growing influence as the AI boom upends the status quo.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026

Nothing will make me change my mind about the button, but I’m trying my best to maintain the status quo for the days that remain.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status