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 thing is, Pratt made some strong points about the inefficiencies of L.A.’s political status quo and the outrage that is having tens of thousands of people live on our streets.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

So right now, Oracle looks ready to provide either a status quo update to ongoing capex growth or a larger number.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

“People are sick and tired of a broken status quo; they’re ready for change.”

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

But they didn’t view her as a challenge to the status quo — to many, she is the status quo.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Later on at the dinner table he was still animated, though, which is the status quo on Sundays.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status