Explanation at your level:
Status means how things are. Is your work finished? That is the status. It is also about people. Is someone a boss? That is their status.
You use status to describe a situation. For example, 'What is the status of your homework?' It means 'Is it done or not?' It also describes rank, like a king having high status.
In B1 English, status is often used for updates. You check the status of an order online. It is also used to talk about social rank, like how much respect someone has in their job or community.
At this level, you will see status used in phrases like status quo. It describes the current situation that people might want to keep or change. It is also used to talk about professional standing in a company.
Status at the C1 level often involves nuance. You might discuss the socio-economic status of a population or the legal status of a treaty. It is a precise word for defining categories and hierarchies in academic or professional writing.
At the mastery level, status is a tool for sociological analysis. You use it to deconstruct power dynamics and institutional conditions. It captures the essence of static versus dynamic states in complex systems, reflecting its deep Latin roots in 'standing' or 'positioning' within a structure.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Status means rank or condition.
- It is a noun.
- It has two pronunciations.
- It is very common in business.
Think of status as a way to measure 'where' someone or something is. In a social sense, it is like a ladder; some people have a higher status because of their job, wealth, or influence. It is all about how we rank things in our world.
On the other hand, status also describes the current situation of a project. If you are waiting for a package, you check its status to see if it is 'in transit' or 'delivered.' It is a very flexible word that helps us organize our thoughts about people and processes.
The word status comes directly from the Latin word status, which means 'a standing, position, or condition.' It shares a root with the verb stare, meaning 'to stand.' This is why we still use it to describe where someone 'stands' in a group.
Over centuries, it moved from Latin into French and finally into English. It has been used in legal and social contexts since the 17th century. It is fascinating how a word about physically standing still became a way to describe our complex social lives.
You will hear status used in both formal business meetings and casual chats. In business, we often talk about status updates or project status. These are neutral and professional ways to keep everyone informed.
In social settings, we might discuss social status or someone's status symbol. This is often used to describe how people try to show off their wealth or influence. Always be mindful of the tone, as talking about someone's 'status' can sometimes sound a bit judgmental.
1. Status quo: The existing state of affairs. Example: 'They were happy with the status quo and didn't want any changes.'
2. Status symbol: An object meant to show wealth. Example: 'That expensive car is just a status symbol.'
3. Marital status: Whether you are single or married. Example: 'Please update your marital status on the form.'
4. Legal status: One's standing under the law. Example: 'His legal status in the country was confirmed.'
5. High status: Having a lot of power or respect. Example: 'She holds a high status in the medical community.'
Status is a noun. It is generally uncountable when referring to 'rank,' but it can be counted when referring to specific 'conditions' (e.g., 'the statuses of the files'). The plural is statuses.
Pronunciation varies! In the US, it is often pronounced STAY-tus, while in the UK, it is often STAT-us. Both are perfectly correct. It rhymes with words like hiatus, stratus, and apparatus.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'station' and 'stable'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'stat' as in statistics.
Sounds like 'stay' as in stay here.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'statue'
- Forgetting the 's' at the end
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun Plurals
status -> statuses
Articles
the status
Subject-Verb Agreement
The status is...
Examples by Level
What is the status?
What is the state?
Noun usage.
The status of the project is good.
He has a high status at work.
Check the status of your flight.
What is your marital status?
The status is pending.
She likes her social status.
The status changed today.
Is the status updated?
We need a status report by noon.
His status as a leader is clear.
The status quo is no longer working.
She enjoys her high status.
The status of the order is shipped.
He lost his status in the club.
The status of the case is unknown.
They discussed their legal status.
The company is trying to change the status quo.
He is obsessed with status symbols.
The status of the negotiations remains uncertain.
She has achieved a high professional status.
Please update your account status.
The status of the building is protected.
His status as a hero is undisputed.
We are monitoring the status of the crisis.
The socio-economic status of the region is improving.
The status of the agreement is currently under review.
They are challenging the status quo of the industry.
Her status as an expert is widely recognized.
The legal status of the property is being investigated.
We must consider the status of all participants.
The status of the evidence is crucial to the trial.
He maintains a status of total independence.
The status of the institution reflects its historical legacy.
He sought to disrupt the entrenched status quo.
The status of the metadata is critical for the system.
Societal status is often tied to educational attainment.
The status of the diplomatic mission is delicate.
They are evaluating the status of the current policy.
His status as a scholar is beyond reproach.
The status of the ecosystem is in decline.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"status quo"
the way things currently are
They don't want to upset the status quo.
formal"keep up with the Joneses"
trying to match the status of neighbors
They bought a new car just to keep up with the Joneses.
casual"in a state of"
the current condition of
The house was in a state of disrepair.
neutral"move up in the world"
improve one's social status
She really moved up in the world after her promotion.
casual"social climber"
someone trying to improve their status
He is just a social climber.
casualEasily Confused
similar spelling
stature is height/importance
He is a man of great stature.
similar spelling
statue is a sculpture
The statue is in the park.
similar spelling
statute is a law
The statute was passed.
similar root
state is a condition or nation
The state of the nation.
Sentence Patterns
The status of [noun] is [adj].
The status of the file is complete.
He has a high status.
He has a high status in the firm.
Check the status of [noun].
Check the status of the order.
Maintain the status quo.
We want to maintain the status quo.
Update your [noun] status.
Update your marital status.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Status is a noun, not a verb.
Status is rank; stature is physical or figurative size.
Common typo.
Status is for rank or project progress.
The Latin plural is not used in English.
Tips
Say It Right
Choose one pronunciation and stick to it!
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it constantly in IT and business.
Grammar Shortcut
It is almost always a noun.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for 'standing'.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence about your work.
Cultural Insight
Don't ask about someone's status too directly.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a status bar on a game.
Social Context
Be careful with social status talk.
Practice
Write 5 sentences today.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
STAY in your TUSs (position).
Visual Association
A ladder with people at different levels.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe the status of your current day.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: standing, position
Cultural Context
Can be sensitive when discussing social class.
Often used in corporate culture to describe project progress.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
work
- status update
- project status
- status meeting
technology
- online status
- system status
- error status
legal
- legal status
- residency status
- case status
social
- social status
- status symbol
- high status
Conversation Starters
"What is the status of your current project?"
"Do you think status symbols are important?"
"How does one achieve high status in your field?"
"Is it hard to change the status quo in a company?"
"How do you check your order status online?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to check the status of something important.
Do you think social status matters in modern society?
Describe a person you know who has high status.
Why do people want to change the status quo?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsEither STAY-tus or STAT-us.
Yes, statuses.
Yes, social status.
It is neutral.
The current situation.
No.
No, that is stature.
Very common.
Test Yourself
What is the ___ of the project?
Status refers to progress.
Which word means social rank?
Status is about rank.
Status can be a verb.
It is a noun.
Word
Meaning
Idiom match.
Standard order.
Score: /5
Summary
Status helps us define where people and projects stand in our world.
- Status means rank or condition.
- It is a noun.
- It has two pronunciations.
- It is very common in business.
Say It Right
Choose one pronunciation and stick to it!
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it constantly in IT and business.
Grammar Shortcut
It is almost always a noun.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for 'standing'.
Example
What is the current status of my online order?
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
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abstinence
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abtactship
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abvictious
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abvolism
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acceptance
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