liminal

adjective

lim·i·nal ˈli-mə-nᵊl

Synonyms of liminal next

: of, relating to, or situated at a sensory threshold : barely perceptible or capable of eliciting a response

liminal visual stimuli

: of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition : in-between, transitional

… in the liminal state between life and death.—

Deborah Jowitt

liminality

ˌli-mə-ˈna-lə-tē

noun

plural liminalities

The market, standing between the sacred and secular, the mundane and exotic, and the local and global, has always been a place of liminality … —

Jon Goss

Did you know?

Get in Between Liminal

When liminal first appeared in written use, it referred to something (such as a physical stimulus) which was just barely perceptible, or just barely capable of eliciting a response. This meaning is still in use today in constructions like "liminal auditory stimuli." The word comes from the noun limen, which refers to the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced. In its most common extended meaning now, it describes a state, place, or condition of transition, as in “the liminal zone between sleep and wakefulness.” The closely related word subliminal means “below a threshold”; it can describe something inadequate to produce a sensation or something operating below a threshold of consciousness.

Examples of liminal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What in the liminal space universe is going on here?! —

Erin Qualey, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2024 Early deliveries in 2024 already exceeded expectations, so when the full lineup enters production, Lamborghini looks poised to potentially enter the liminal era between internal-combustion and full electrification in the strongest possible market positioning. —

Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024 Yet, in these liminal times, an upswell of creatives and entrepreneurs—some calling themselves the resistance to the communist state—are creating new art, places to stay, and places to eat, drink, and listen to music. —

Claire Boobbyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 July 2024 In fact, half the excitement of falling in love (and staying in love) with someone, is the liminal space in which a person can still surprise you and teach you something new. —

Maybelle Morgan, refinery29.com, 2 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for liminal

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liminal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.