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 stay preserved the status quo while litigation played out, averting the hefty costs and damage that would otherwise have come to pass.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

"We are constrained only by the extent that we accept the status quo through acquiescence, complacency, and limited ambition."

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Regardless of how quickly, or slowly, if ever, the Iran war is brought to a conclusion, there will be no return to the status quo ante in the Strait of Hormuz.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Lai has repeatedly committed to maintaining the status quo in cross-strait relations.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

But the other segment seemed intent on staying put— maintaining the old status quo.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status