status
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
your position or rank in a group or in society compared to other people.
the relative social, professional, or official standing of a person or group.
Simple“Doctors often have a high social status in many cultures.”
In context“The researchers examined how changes in income affected the social status of immigrant families within their local communities.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
high importance or respect that people give you.
high standing, prestige, or importance in the eyes of others.
Simple“For some people, driving an expensive car is all about status.”
In context“The acquisition of the historic estate was seen as a move to consolidate his status among the city's elite.”
SynonymsAntonymsinsignificance - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
the situation or progress of something at a particular time.
the current state of affairs or the progress of a specific process or project.
Simple“What is the status of our application for the new apartment?”
In context“The project manager requested a weekly report to monitor the status of the software development phase.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
your official situation according to the law.
the legal character or condition of a person or entity.
Simple“He is currently waiting for the government to decide on his refugee status.”
In context“The court must first determine the legal status of the subsidiary before the parent company can be held liable for the debt.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
a short message or photo you share on social media to tell friends what you are doing.
a user-defined message on a social media platform or messaging app indicating current activity or mood.
Simple“She changed her status to 'on vacation' before she left for the airport.”
In context“He posted a cryptic status on his profile, leaving his followers to wonder if he was hinting at a new job offer.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
a serious medical condition where a physical problem, like a seizure, does not stop.
a state of prolonged or repetitive medical symptoms, such as seizures or asthma attacks, that requires immediate intervention.
Simple“The patient was in status and needed medicine right away to stop the shaking.”
In context“The emergency team worked quickly to stabilize the patient, who had progressed into status epilepticus after failing to respond to initial treatment.”
UsageOften used as a shorthand for 'status epilepticus' or 'status asthmaticus' in clinical settings.
Usage status quo · achieve status · affect status
“Her show doesn’t break the mould, highlighting public figures who “[refuse] to accept the status quo”.”
“When I ask him how he would describe his class status, he laughs.”
A learned borrowing from Latin status. A doublet of state and estate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.