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

The back-and-forth over change and the status quo broke to the surface during last month’s housing forum in downtown L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

That’s an essential ingredient to building electoral support for changes that often feel like a huge leap of faith when voters are accustomed to the false security of the status quo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Newcastle ultimately announced club-record revenues of £335.3m, but still have a huge gap to bridge on the status quo.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

But more than six months after the announcement, the status quo remains undisturbed as the DNC’s Middle East Working Group proceeds at a snail’s pace.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

When spo-radic pushes came from the federal government to change the status quo, to break down the boundary of the railroad tracks, they were met with swift and well-organized resistance.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status