onstage

American  

[on-steyj, awn-] / ˈɒnˈsteɪdʒ, ˈɔn- /

adverb

1. on or onto the stage (opposed to offstage).

   The director shouted, “Onstage, everybody!”

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in the acting area, or that part of the stage that is in view of the audience.

Etymology

Origin of onstage

First recorded in 1925–30; on + stage

Explanation

When you do something onstage, you do it in front of an audience. Onstage tap dancing can be exhilarating to watch if the dancers are good, or embarrassing if they're not. An onstage mistake, like a forgotten line or a dropped prop, can sometimes be concealed by quick-thinking actors. Your role in the school play might turn out not to have any lines at all, but to involve your character lurking around onstage looking mysterious. The opposite of onstage is offstage, meaning things that occur where the audience can't see them.

Example Sentences

“We needed to come to Washington and feel your strength and your hope and your faith,” Springsteen continued onstage.

From Salon • May 29, 2026

A few weeks later, back on tour, Grohl jumped onstage to help sing backup on a few tracks.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Veteran pop showman Barry Manilow yearns to be back onstage.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

In a recent interview, the humor writer said he wears the garment onstage during his speaking tours and even while running errands, including a trip to the local UPS.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

“Mia, it was humiliating. My mom made me get onstage and play my trumpet.”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith