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

Technology invariably requires workers to adapt, often with considerable disruption to the status quo.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Critics may argue that the federal government should keep all recoveries, but the status quo isn’t a system where the federal government keeps the proceeds.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

"Taiwan has always been a firm defender of the status quo on both sides of the Strait, not a party to change it," he wrote.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

"The biggest mistake we can make is to try to cement the status quo, to keep all companies exactly the same. That would lead to a much bigger deindustrialisation."

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

While she and her family always questioned the status quo, she didn’t think you had to deny the existence of God.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status