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Synonyms

status quo

American  
[kwoh] / kwoʊ /

noun

  1. the existing state or condition.

status quo British  
/ kwəʊ /

noun

  1. the existing state of affairs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was discussed at the English Football League AGM last month but with no vote following, the status quo remains next season.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

“As we look to continue challenging the status quo, I can think of no better partners than Elon Musk,” Tan said.

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

“The Geffen Galleries didn’t come to fruition overnight. And frankly, nothing that changes the status quo ever does,” Mitchell said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Rather, the two complemented each other in preventing any changes in the status quo.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.