offstage

UK: /ˌɒfˈsteɪdʒ/ US: /ˈɔfˈsteɪdʒ, ˈɑf-/ ,(ôf′stāj′, of′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

off•stage /ˈɔfˈsteɪdʒ, ˈɑf-/   adv. 

1. Show Business away from the part of the stage that the audience sees (opposed to onstage):
   could hear whispering offstage.
2. Show Business in private life.

adj. 

3. Show Business being or occurring offstage:
   offstage whispers.
4. private:
   an unglamorous offstage life.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

off•stage  (ôf′stāj′, of′-), adv. 

1. Show Business off the stage or in the wings;
   away from the view of the audience (opposed to onstage).
2. Show Business in one's private life rather than on the stage:
   Offstage the actress seemed rather plain.

adj. 

3. Show Business not in view of the audience;
   backstage, in the wings, etc.:
   an offstage crash.
4. withheld from public view or attention;
   private:
   offstage political meetings.

• off + stage 1920–25

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

offstage / ˈɒfˈsteɪdʒ/ adjective , adverb

1. out of the view of the audience; off the stage