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Meaning & use

status update

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈsteɪtəs ˌʌpdeɪt/
US/ˈsteɪtəs ˌʌpdeɪt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A short message or post that someone adds to a social media profile to tell others what they are doing or thinking.

    Grammar: Countable: a status update, two status updates. Often used with 'post', 'write', or 'share'.

    Patterns

    • post a status update
    • write a status update
    • share a status update

    She posted a status update about her new job on Facebook.

    His status update said he was stuck in traffic and would be late.

    I saw your status update this morning — congratulations on the marathon!

  2. nouncountablebusiness

    A brief report on the current situation of a project, task, or person.

    Grammar: Countable and often used in business or formal contexts: a status update on something.

    Patterns

    • give someone a status update
    • a status update on something

    The manager asked for a status update on the new website.

    Could you give me a quick status update before the meeting?

    We send a weekly status update to all team members.

Word forms

pluralstatus updates

Common combinations

post a status update
He posted a status update to announce the birth of his daughter.
a quick status update
Can you give me a quick status update on the repairs?
a status update on something
We received a status update on the investigation.
write a status update
She writes a status update every morning to keep her followers informed.

Synonyms and how they differ

post
A more general word for anything published on social media; 'status update' specifically refers to a short personal message on a profile.
report
Used in business for a formal or detailed account; a status update is usually shorter and less formal.

Word family

status noun
The current state or position of someone or something.
update noun
A piece of new information or a report on recent changes.
update verb
To add the latest information to something.

Commonly confused: status update or status?

status update vs status

People sometimes say 'status' to mean the same thing, but 'status' alone can also mean social rank or official position. 'Status update' is clearer for the social media post.

Practice

She ______ a status update to let everyone know she had arrived safely.

Make it your own

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