English Reference
adverb · adjective

onstage

adv. · adj.
US /ˌɑnˈsteɪdʒ/ UK /ˈɒnsteɪdʒ/ on·stage

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Theatre

    adv.on the part of the stage where the audience can see you.

    adv.in or into the area of a stage that is visible to the audience during a performance.

    Simple

    The actors walked onstage and the audience started to clap.

    In context

    The lead soprano remained onstage throughout the entire first act, maintaining her character even during the orchestral interludes.

    Usage

    Usually follows a verb of motion or position.

    offstage
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Theatre

    adj.happening or located on the stage during a show.

    adj.located or occurring on the part of the stage visible to the spectators.

    Simple

    The play features several onstage costume changes.

    In context

    The director insisted on an onstage appearance for the narrator to bridge the gap between the fictional world and the audience.

    Usage

    Typically placed before the noun it describes.

    offstagebackstage

From on + stage.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated