stage left

American  

noun

Theater.

1. the part of the stage that is left of center as one faces the audience.

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stage left British  

noun

1. the part of the stage to the left of a performer facing the audience

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Etymology

Origin of stage left

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does stage-left compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• stage right vs. stage left

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stage left

But she may be a better reactive comedian than she is a performer alone on stage, left entirely to her own devices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 11, 2025

Guitarist George Vjestica is on the bottom level, stage right, while the incomparable Warren Ellis holds down stage left.

From Salon ● May 13, 2025

McIlroy, initially a vocal critic of the new circuit, called for the two-time Open Champion to "exit stage left" in 2022 and let the "adults" heal the wounds in the sport.

From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2025

The execution on stage left me in awe, willing to believe pretty much anything.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2024

Then she turned and left the stage, left him there alone, standing and facing the crowd, which began spontaneously the collective murmur of his name.

From "The Giver" by Lois Lowry