backstage

1 of 2

adjective

back·​stage ˈbak-ˌstāj 

1

: of, relating to, or occurring in the area behind the stage and especially in the dressing rooms

2

: of or relating to the private lives of theater people

3

: of or relating to the inner working or operation (as of an organization)

backstage

2 of 2

adverb

back·​stage ˈbak-ˈstāj 

1

: in or to a backstage area

2

: in private : secretly

Synonyms

Adverb

• confidentially
• in camera
• intimately
• privately
• secretly

Examples of backstage in a Sentence

Adverb

After the show, we went backstage to meet the band.

some of the most important decisions were made backstage, and only presented to the full committee afterward

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The backstage safari pass ($59.99) allows guests to interact with exotic animals. —Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 25 May 2025

Her siblings Chicago, 7, and Saint, 9, were also backstage after her performance, giving fans a rare inside look at Kim and Kanye co-parenting. —Julia Moore, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025

Adverb

Despite being banged up, Priest has reportedly earned significant praise backstage for continuing to perform at a high level. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025

In an image shared by Timberlake, the couple smiled together backstage — with the singer in his custom Biel T-shirt and his wife in a 2003 Justified World Tour T-shirt. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 25 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing backstage

• backstage pass

Rhymes for backstage

• assuage
• bocage
• downstage
• engage
• enrage
• leafage
• messuage
• offstage
• onstage
• outrage
• pelage
• prophage

Kids Definition

backstage

adverb or adjective

back·​stage

ˈbak-ˈstāj

: in or to an area behind the stage of a theater