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

The move comes as the state hurtles toward a July deadline to eliminate using QR codes to tally votes, leaving election officials and elections in limbo with no clear plan for compliance. —Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026

The shifting guidelines for blood pressure control may remind those at advanced ages of a dance fad from their youth, the limbo. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

That could leave the nomination in limbo and Powell still in charge. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026

For years, the Freeride sat in this odd limbo – perfectly capable of short commutes and urban hops, but officially only limited to private trails and parks. —New Atlas, 20 Apr. 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"