limbo

1 of 2

noun (1)

lim·​bo ˈlim-(ˌ)bō 

plural limbos

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

Noun

Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Afghans admitted through Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole programs now find themselves in a similar state of limbo. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Budgetary concerns notwithstanding, throwing library funding into limbo is a terrible idea. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025

The reasons echo a shared unease: fear of being detained, denied entry, or caught in bureaucratic limbo. —Alex Ashley, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025

President Trump's decision on Friday to extend the sale of the platform for another 75 days will likely keep those who depend on it for their livelihoods in a state of limbo for a while longer. —Chloe Veltman, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025

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"