Definition

Related to a point of transition or threshold, often describing something that is in between two states or stages.

Example

The liminal space between childhood and adulthood can be confusing for many young people.

Conversation

I was reading about liminal spaces and found it really fascinating.

Oh really? What did you learn about them?

They describe those in-between areas that feel kind of strange yet intriguing.

That sounds cool! I've definitely been in some liminal places before.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Liminal → It is formed from "limen" (meaning threshold) in Latin. The word "liminal" refers to something that is at the threshold or boundary between two states or conditions.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'threshold' ('limen') as a place where you transition from one room to another — that's what liminal means, being at the boundary between two different states.

Visually Confused Words