limbo

1 of 2

noun (1)

lim·​bo ˈlim-(ˌ)bō How to pronounce limbo (audio)
plural limbos
Synonyms of limbonext
1
often capitalized : an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptism
2
a
: a place or state of restraint or confinement
trapping travelers in an airless limbo— Sam Boal
b
: a place or state of neglect or oblivion
proposals kept in limbo
c
: an intermediate or transitional place or state
the adolescent occupies a special human limbo— New Republic
d
: a state of uncertainty
The graduate was in limbo for a while, trying to decide what to do next.

limbo

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural limbos
: a dance or contest that involves bending over backwards and passing under a horizontal pole lowered slightly for each successive pass

Examples of limbo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
While Valencia plans to get back on the horse as soon as possible, he is stuck in something of a limbo until then. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025 Her claim came as the bottom falls out of the British co-pro market due to big American players pulling out, which has impacted numerous BBC dramas that are stuck in funding limbo and is understood to have also affected scripted shows at ITV and Channel 4. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025 The Delaware Building at 36 W. Randolph St., an eight-story, Italianate-style building that was among the first to rise from the ashes of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, is nearly vacant, deteriorating and stuck in redevelopment limbo. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 Unfortunately, their hugely enjoyable remake, in name only, was stuck in distribution limbo for the better part of five years, despite a stellar cast that includes Oscar winners Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones and Morgan Freeman. — Joe Leydon, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for limbo

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, ablative of limbus limbo, from Latin, border

Noun (2)

English of Trinidad & Barbados; akin to Jamaican English limba to bend, from English limber entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of limbo was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing limbo

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Cite this Entry

“Limbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limbo. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

limbo

1 of 2 noun
lim·​bo ˈlim-bō How to pronounce limbo (audio)
plural limbos
1
often capitalized : a place for souls (as of unbaptized infants) believed to be barred from heaven through no fault of their own
2
a
: a place or state of being held or forgotten
b
: a middle place or state

limbo

2 of 2 noun
: a dance or contest that involves bending backward and passing under a horizontal pole
Etymology

Noun

Middle English limbo "a place for souls," derived from Latin limbus (same meaning), from earlier limbus "border"

Noun

from the English of Trinidad and Barbados limbo "a dance that involves bending backwards under a pole," related to Jamaican English limba "to bend," from English limber "flexible"

More from Merriam-Webster on limbo

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for limbo

Nglish: Translation of limbo for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about limbo

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