onstage
Onstage (adj) means taking place on the visible part of a stage, in front of an audience. Example: “The onstage kiss got a huge round of applause.”
adj
1
Taking place on the visible part of a stage, in front of an audience.
"The onstage kiss got a huge round of applause."
adv
1
On the part of the stage visible to the audience.
"The actors moved onstage as the curtain rose."
"Mr. Kirk sat onstage with his wife Friday night and drove home the weekend’s message."
— Emma Goldberg, ‘Less Burnout, More Babies’: How Conservatives Are Winning Young Women (2025)
"The first is a special—a single lighting instrument that lights a particular spot on the stage. Specials generally have no color, or a more saturated color, allowing them to stand out through other lighting onstage."
— Jennifer Bringle, Lighting (2009)
How to use onstage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening in view of the audience, on the stage itself — as opposed to backstage.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like onstage.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ kiss got a huge round of applause.
Etymology
From on + stage.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for onstage
See all rhymes for onstage →Frequently asked questions
What does “onstage” mean?
The word “onstage” means taking place on the visible part of a stage, in front of an audience. In plain terms, happening in view of the audience, on the stage itself — as opposed to backstage.
How do you use “onstage” in a sentence?
Here is “onstage” used in a sentence: “The onstage kiss got a huge round of applause.”
What is the opposite of “onstage”?
The opposite of “onstage” — its antonyms — is offstage.
What part of speech is “onstage”?
Depending on how it is used, “onstage” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Is “onstage” a common word?
“Onstage” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “onstage” have?
“Onstage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: taking place on the visible part of a stage, in front of an audience.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include onstage:
