Definition of UPSTAGE

upstage

Meanings

Noun

  • the rear part of the stage
  • The part of a stage that is farthest from the audience or camera.

Verb

  • treat snobbishly, put in one's place
  • move upstage, forcing the other actors to turn away from the audience
  • steal the show, draw attention to oneself away from someone else
    • "When the dog entered the stage, he upstaged the actress"
  • To draw attention away from others, especially on-stage.
  • To force other actors to face away from the audience by staying upstage.
  • To treat snobbishly.
  • To restage upward; to restage (a case of a disease, usually a cancer) to a higher stage than that found at last assessment.

Adjective

  • of the back half of a stage
    • "she crossed to the upstage chair forcing the lead to turn his back to the audience"

Adjective Satellite

  • remote in manner
    • "he was upstage with strangers"

Adverb

  • at or toward the rear of the stage
    • "the dancers were directed to move upstage"

Adv

  • Toward or at the rear of a theatrical stage.
  • Away from the audience or camera.

Adj

  • At the rear of a stage.
  • Haughty, aloof.

Origin / Etymology

From up- + stage. The figurative uses “haughty” and “to draw attention away” derive from actors moving to a higher and thus more visible position on a sloped stage.

Antonyms

downstage

Scrabble Score: 10

upstage is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
upstage is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
upstage is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

upstage is a valid Words With Friends word