limbo

1 of 2

noun (1)

lim·​bo ˈlim-(ˌ)bō 

plural limbos

1

often Limbo : 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

Noun

Today, 11 buildings are in the process of being strengthened and about 170 are caught in bureaucratic limbo — they have been assessed as being at risk and approved for renovation, but the construction work has not yet begun. — Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 21 July 2026

But in the seven years since the announcement, the project has been through a series of writers and directors, and remains in creative limbo after being pulled from Marvel’s release calendar in 2024. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

The limbo will last until at least September 1, at which point there will be a new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and therefore probably a new Culture Sec. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 July 2026

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ended that decade-long legal limbo in early June 2026 by recognizing that skill games are essentially gambling devices. — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing limbo

• gumbo-limbo
• in limbo

Kids Definition

limbo

1 of 2 noun

lim·​bo ˈlim-bō 

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"