backstage
Americanadverb
-
behind the proscenium in a theater, especially in the wings or dressing rooms.
-
toward the rear of the stage; upstage.
-
out of view of the public; in private; behind the scenes.
Many of the deals were made backstage at the convention.
adjective
-
located or occurring backstage.
-
of or relating to activities unknown to the public.
-
of or relating to the private lives of people in the entertainment industry.
backstage gossip.
noun
adverb
-
behind the part of the theatre in view of the audience; in the dressing rooms, wings, etc
-
towards the rear of the stage
adjective
-
situated backstage
-
informal away from public view
Etymology
Origin of backstage
Explanation
Backstage is the area of a theater where the actors wait until it's time to walk onstage and play their parts. The audience can't see what's going on backstage. If you get a backstage pass at a rock concert, it means you'll get to go behind the scenes once the show is over, and possibly meet the musicians in person. Many people who are involved in a show, performance, or play stay backstage the whole time: costume designers, makeup directors, and set painters, for example. The word is also sometimes used in a figurative way to mean "secret" or "behind the scenes."
Vocabulary lists containing backstage
Reading: Literature - Drama - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Theater - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Reading: Literature - Drama - Middle School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In addition, the directors provide a remarkable window into the backstage operations of the event, where debate—practical and philosophical—rages over the fate of the festival.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
Podcasts, good hangs, and Late Night shows feed a never-ending amount of backstage drama and tales of never-seen sketches.
From Salon • Jul. 5, 2026
He posted about listening to Ella Langley in the car, so the breakout country artist invited him and his friends backstage at a concert.
From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026
Speaking backstage at The Gorilaz' concert this weekend, Marr acknowledged that it would be "emotional" to part ways with his collection.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
“I had the honor of meeting Ms. Paisley backstage at her show.”
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
