status
STAY-tus
Status (noun) means the current state or condition of something at a given moment. Example: “You can check the status of your order online.”
noun
1
The current state or condition of something at a given moment.
"You can check the status of your order online."
"The application status changed to 'under review' overnight."
"The engineer checked the status of the repair and said it was nearly finished."
2
A person's social or professional rank, and the respect and privilege that comes with it.
"The job carries more status than money."
"She has senior status in the department without the title."
"In that village, owning the largest farm brings great status among neighbours."
3
A short message or image a user posts on a messaging app or social network to show what they are doing or feeling, often disappearing after a set time.
"He posted a status about the flight being cancelled."
"Her WhatsApp status is just a photo of the dog."
"Every morning my cousin updates her status with a cheerful emoji and a song title."
4
A person's official position under the law or under a set of rules.
"Refugee status was granted after a two-year wait."
"The charity lost its tax-exempt status."
"Under the new rules, her legal status as a resident changed after five years."
How to use status
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat state something is in, or how important someone is.
When to use it
Neutral; works in everything from paperwork to social commentary.
Common pairings
marital status
legal status
status update
elevated status
check the status
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You can check the _____ of your order online.
Etymology
From Latin 'status', meaning 'standing, position, condition', from 'stare', to stand.
Related words
Rhymes for status
See all rhymes for status →Frequently asked questions
What is the plural of status?
In English the plural is 'statuses'. 'Status' is occasionally used unchanged in technical writing, and the Latin plural 'statūs' is not used in ordinary English.
What is the difference between status and state?
They overlap heavily. 'State' describes the raw condition something is in; 'status' usually implies that condition has been recorded, assigned or ranked by someone, as with an order status or legal status.
How do you pronounce status?
Both STAY-tus and STAT-us are accepted. STAY-tus is the more common in both British and American English.
What is the meaning of status?
"status" (noun) means the current state or condition of something at a given moment.
