status

[ stey-tuhs, stat-uhs ]

noun

1. the position of an individual in relation to another or others, especially in regard to social or professional standing:

   Women in India have a lower status than men and therefore less control over money.

2. high social or professional standing; prestige:

   The Wilsons have status in the community because of their charitable work.

3. state or condition of affairs:

   Arbitration has failed to change the status of the disagreement.

4. Law. the standing of a person before the law:

   Those students can receive the same tax breaks as citizens, regardless of their status as immigrants.

5. Digital Technology. a short post on a social networking website or messaging application that gives information about the user’s present situation, activities, thoughts, etc.:

   I changed my Facebook status from married to single.

adjective

1. conferring or believed to confer elevated status:

   a status car; a status job.

status

/ ˈsteɪtəs /

noun

1. a social or professional position, condition, or standing to which varying degrees of responsibility, privilege, and esteem are attached
2. the relative position or standing of a person or thing
3. a high position or standing; prestige

   he has acquired a new status since he has been in that job

4. the legal standing or condition of a person
5. a state of affairs

status

1. The relative position of an individual within a group, or of a group within a society.

Notes

Though the term can refer to either high or low standing, it is often used only to imply a position of prestige.

Other Words From

• non·status adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of status¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from Latin: “the condition of standing, stature, status,” equivalent to sta- (variant stem of stāre “to stand”) + -tus suffix of verbal action; stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of status¹

C17: from Latin: posture, from stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See state.

Related Words

• condition
• dignity
• place
• position
• prestige
• prominence
• quality
• rating
• situation
• stature