upstage
upstage Lexical Profile
upstage Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To divert attention away from someone toward oneself; to outshine or overshadow another person.
"The young pianist's brilliant encore completely upstaged the seasoned orchestra conductor."
To move toward the back of a stage so as to force another actor to face away from the audience (in theater).
"The veteran actor deliberately upstaged his co-star during the pivotal monologue."
• adverb
At or toward the back of a theater stage, away from the audience.
"The lead actor walked slowly upstage as the lights dimmed on the final scene."
• adjective
Situated at or toward the back of a theater stage, away from the audience.
"The director asked the supporting cast to remain in the upstage area during the soloist's performance."
• noun
The rear portion of a theater stage, farthest from the audience.
"The stagehands positioned the painted backdrop across the entire width of the upstage."
• Rhymes for upstage
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century as a theatrical term referring to the rear area of a raked (sloped) stage, which was physically higher than the front. The figurative verb sense arose because an actor moving upstage forces other performers to turn their backs to the audience to face them, thereby stealing the spotlight.