upstage

1 of 4

adverb

up·​stage ˈəp-ˈstāj 

1

: toward or at the rear of a theatrical stage

The actor moved upstage.

2

: away from a movie or television camera

upstage

2 of 4

adjective

up·​stage ˈəp-ˈstāj 

1

[upstage entry 3] : haughty

2

: of or relating to the rear of a stage

upstage

3 of 4

verb

up·​stage ˌəp-ˈstāj 

upstaged; upstaging; upstages

transitive verb

1

: to draw attention away from

upstaging the competition

2

: to force (an actor) to face away from the audience by staying upstage

3

: to treat snobbishly

upstage

4 of 4

noun

up·​stage ˈəp-ˌstāj 

: the part of a stage that is farthest from the audience or camera

Examples of upstage in a Sentence

Verb

We don't want the flower girl upstaging the bride.

My apple pie was upstaged by her chocolate cake.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Oh, and large fluorescent letters spelling JEFF loom upstage. Billed as an experimental dark comedy about the absurdities of late-stage capitalism, tang’s 2023 play is a big swing for director Tina El Gamal and company. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2026

There’s nothing fancy about a big, square screen that sits upstage of the circular playing area, but the subtlety in which the images and mood flows through the screen greatly enhance the storytelling. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Ngin strides rapidly upstage and forcefully tears down a set of hanging white curtains. — Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Nov. 2022

Villaume and the orchestra were no less dramatic forces, but coordination might have been surer if DiDonato hadn’t been so far upstage. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 11 May 2021

Verb

In the 2003 film, the Dan Band’s sweaty, inappropriately exuberant version of the ’80s power ballad upstages Will Ferrell’s wedding. — Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Oliver will be tough to beat given his near-constant Emmy presence, but there’s a chance for two of the classic talkers to upstage the British comedian. — Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upstage

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

Kids Definition

upstage

1 of 2 adverb or adjective

up·​stage ˈəp-ˈstāj 

: toward or at the part of the stage or set farthest from the audience or the motion-picture or television camera

upstage

2 of 2 verb

up·​stage

ˌəp-ˈstāj

: to steal attention away from

children upstaging adult performers