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Meaning & use

stage

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/steɪdʒ/
US/steɪdʒ/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A particular point or period in a process or in someone's development.

    Grammar: Countable: the first stage, a difficult stage.

    Patterns

    • at this stage
    • in the early stages of something
    • the next stage

    The project is still in its early stages.

    At this stage, we can't say who will win.

    The toddler is going through a shy stage.

  2. nouncountable

    The raised platform in a theater or hall on which performers act, sing or speak.

    Grammar: Often used with on: on stage.

    Patterns

    • on stage
    • take the stage
    • leave the stage

    The band walked onto the stage to loud cheers.

    She nervously stepped on stage.

    The stage was decorated with flowers.

  3. nounsingular

    The work of acting in plays, as a profession or art form, rather than film.

    Grammar: Used with the: she left the stage for television.

    Patterns

    • the stage
    • a career on the stage

    He had a long career on the stage.

    She moved from the stage to the screen.

    The stage is a tough place for a young actor.

  4. verbtransitive

    To organize and present an event, play or protest in public.

    Grammar: Takes an object: stage a protest.

    Patterns

    • stage something
    • stage a play
    • stage a protest

    The school will stage a musical in spring.

    Workers staged a walkout at noon.

    The town staged a parade for the winners.

  5. verbtransitive

    To arrange an event so that it seems natural while it is actually planned.

    Grammar: Often used for tricks or fake events.

    Patterns

    • stage something
    • stage a photo

    The photographer staged the picture with careful lighting.

    They staged an accident to fool the audience.

    The company staged a surprise party.

Word forms

third person singularstages
past tensestaged
past participlestaged
-ing formstaging
pluralstages

Common combinations

early stage
The disease was caught at an early stage.
final stage
We have reached the final stage of the race.
take the stage
The singer took the stage at nine.
stage a comeback
The team staged a comeback in the second half.
set the stage
The announcement set the stage for the debate.
stage fright
She never lost her stage fright.

Synonyms and how they differ

phase
Phase suggests a temporary period in a cycle, often something that will pass.
step
Step is one action in a sequence, while stage is a longer period.
platform
Platform is a general raised surface for speaking or standing, not specifically for performers.
point
Point is a single moment in a process, while stage covers a stretch of time.

Word family

staged adjective
deliberately arranged or planned
staging noun
the way a play is presented
stagy adjective
theatrical in an exaggerated way
backstage adverb
behind the stage out of view
upstage verb
to draw attention away from someone else

Commonly confused: stage or phase? stage or stag?

stage vs phase

Phase is usually used for a temporary period in a cycle, while stage can mean any step in progress.

stage vs stag

A stag is a male deer, and has nothing to do with theaters.

Practice

We are still at an early ___ of planning, so nothing is decided.

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