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 of backstage

Adverb

• privately
• confidentially
• in private
• 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

Got through it, went backstage, completely like dissolved into a puddle. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026

Former President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former first lady Laura Bush were also backstage as the celebration kicked off on Thursday. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

Adverb

Got through it, went backstage, completely dissolved into a puddle. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 22 June 2026

To close out the show, McCartney and Colbert then went backstage and flipped a giant switch, effectively turning the lights off on the 30-year late night program. — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

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