status quo

American  

[kwoh] / kwoʊ /

noun

1. the existing state or condition.

---

status quo British  

/ kwəʊ /

noun

1. the existing state of affairs

---

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.”

---

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.

---

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

Alternatively, you can maintain the status quo and later decline executor duties.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

The federal government’s prospective disinvestment in the sciences has long been the status quo for the humanities, with corporate foundations and private philanthropy providing the main funding sources.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

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 plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction to maintain the status quo of their employment pending arbitration, and to prevent Meta from completing their separations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

The newscaster on the television reported on the changing times and the uprooting of the status quo.

From "Amal Unbound" by Aisha Saeed

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status