noun
Uncommon
limbo
LIHM-boh
Limbo (noun) means a state of being stuck between two situations, with no clear resolution or progress. Example: “The project has been in limbo since the funding was frozen.”
noun
1
A state of being stuck between two situations, with no clear resolution or progress.
"The project has been in limbo since the funding was frozen."
2
In some Christian traditions, an in-between afterlife state for souls who are neither in heaven nor hell.
"Medieval theologians debated the nature of limbo."
3
A dance in which participants bend backward to pass beneath a bar that is progressively lowered.
"Everyone at the party had a go at the limbo."
How to use limbo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStuck in an uncertain, unresolved in-between state — or, separately, the backward-bending party dance.
Common pairings
in limbo
legal limbo
play limbo
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Word forms
- Plural
- limbos, limboes
- Third person singular
- limbos
- Past tense
- limboed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The project has been in _____ since the funding was frozen.
Etymology
From Latin limbus ("border, edge"), via the phrase in limbo. The dance sense is unrelated in origin, from Trinidad and Tobago.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for limbo
See all rhymes for limbo →Frequently asked questions
What does “limbo” mean?
The word “limbo” means a state of being stuck between two situations, with no clear resolution or progress. In plain terms, stuck in an uncertain, unresolved in-between state — or, separately, the backward-bending party dance.
How do you pronounce “limbo”?
“Limbo” is pronounced LIHM-boh (/ˈlɪmboʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “limbo” in a sentence?
Here is “limbo” used in a sentence: “The project has been in limbo since the funding was frozen.”
What part of speech is “limbo”?
“Limbo” is a noun.
Where does the word “limbo” come from?
The word “limbo” comes from Latin. From Latin limbus ("border, edge"), via the phrase in limbo. The dance sense is unrelated in origin, from Trinidad and Tobago.
Is “limbo” a common word?
“Limbo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “limbo” have?
“Limbo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a state of being stuck between two situations, with no clear resolution or progress.
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