sta ‧ tus W2 AC /ˈsteɪtəs $ ˈsteɪtəs, ˈstæ-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: ⇨ ↑ state 1 ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] the official legal position or condition of a person, group, country etc ⇨ standing :
These documents have no legal status in Britain.
What is your marital status (=are you married or not) ?
2 . [uncountable] your social or professional rank or position, considered in relation to other people
high/low status
low-status jobs
Doctors have traditionally enjoyed high social status.
3 . [uncountable] respect and importance that someone or something is given SYN prestige :
the status given to education
Mandela’s status as a world leader
4 . the status of something a situation at a particular time, especially in an argument, discussion etc:
What’s the status of the trade talks?
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ adjectives
▪ high status
They were men of high status and great influence.
▪ low status
People who work as carers have low status in our society.
▪ higher/superior status
Landowners had superior status.
▪ lower/inferior status
In parts of the world, women still have inferior status.
▪ exalted status formal (=very high)
They looked entirely at ease with their exalted status.
▪ equal status
Workers of equal status should be rewarded equally.
▪ social status
I lied about my family’s social status.
▪ socioeconomic status formal (=relating to your social rank and money)
migrant farm workers and others of low socioeconomic status
▪ professional status
His ambition was to attain the highest professional status.
■ verbs
▪ have high/low status ( also enjoy high/low status )
Here, old people are respected and have high social status.