stage
stage — noun
1. One of the points in a sequence where something is growing, changing, or moving
One of the points in a sequence where something is growing, changing, or moving forward from one condition to the next.
The disease is still at an early stage, so recovery is very likely.
collocation: at an early / late / advanced stage
Quinn is at that awkward life stage between being a child and being an adult.
collocation: stage of life / development / growth
At this stage of the housing survey, Saira is still visiting families in the community.
The first stage of a butterfly's life is the egg, which hatches into a caterpillar.
grammar pattern: the first / final / next stage of
Babies go through several stages before walking — crawling, then standing, then stepping on their own.
- early stage
- late stage
- advanced stage
- critical stage
- stage of development
- initial stage
- final stage
Grammar Patterns
stage + of + noun phrase
at + adjective + stage
adjective + stage
Usage Note
Often followed by of to name the process (stage of development, stage of the project). Frequently used with at (at this stage, at an early stage).
Common Mistakes
2. Any of the sections that a long task, payment, or journey is deliberately divide
Any of the sections that a long task, payment, or journey is deliberately divided into, so each part is smaller and easier to handle separately.
The new railway line was built in stages over a period of ten years.
key phrase: in stages
We are paying for the kitchen renovation in three stages across six months.
grammar pattern: in + number + stages
The charity walk covered fifty kilometres, divided into five stages with rest stops.
Ramón writes his essays in stages rather than finishing them in one sitting.
- in stages
- build in stages
- pay in stages
- release in stages
- first stage
- second stage
Grammar Patterns
in stages
in + number + stages
adjective + stage
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural or the fixed phrase in stages. The singular (a stage) is possible but rarer for this sense — use index 1 instead for a single point in a process.
Common Mistakes
3. Any segment of a multi-engine rocket that has its own fuel and motor, built to d
Any segment of a multi-engine rocket that has its own fuel and motor, built to drop off after its fuel is used up so the remaining rocket can keep going.
The first stage of the rocket burned for two minutes before dropping into the ocean.
typical pattern: first / second / third stage of a rocket
Once the second stage ignites, the spacecraft is already high above the atmosphere.
Engineers designed a reusable first stage that lands itself back on the launch pad.
Tara watched the live broadcast as the rocket's stages separated one by one in space.
- first stage
- second stage
- upper stage
- rocket stage
- stage separation
- reusable stage
- booster
Specifically a rocket stage that provides extra thrust at launch; often refers to the first stage or a side-mounted engine.
Grammar Patterns
first/second stage + of + a rocket
Usage Note
Almost always appears with a number (first stage, second stage) and is a technical term in aerospace. Not used in everyday conversation outside of space-related topics.
4. A raised floor in a theatre or concert hall where actors, musicians, dancers, or
A raised floor in a theatre or concert hall where actors, musicians, dancers, or speakers perform in front of an audience.
The actor walked onto the stage and the whole audience burst into applause.
key phrase: onto the stage
Anong stood nervously in the wings, waiting for her cue to go on stage.
key phrase: on stage
The stage had fake trees and a small wooden bridge for the school play.
The lead singer jumped off the stage and ran through the crowd.
From the stage, Élise could see her grandmother smiling in the third row.
- on stage
- on the stage
- off stage
- centre stage
- stage left
- stage right
- take the stage
- leave the stage
Grammar Patterns
on stage
onto the stage
off stage
from the stage
take the stage
Usage Note
The most common use of on stage (without the) is as a fixed phrase meaning 'performing' — He is on stage right now. With the definite article (on the stage) it can refer to the physical platform or to the profession (sense 7).
Common Mistakes
5. Any setting or field of public life where significant events unfold and people c
Any setting or field of public life where significant events unfold and people compete for attention, influence, or power — especially in politics, business, or international relations.
The young leader appeared on the international stage at the climate summit.
collocation: on the international / world / political stage
A bribery scandal that made two ministers resign shook the country's political stage last year.
Sayaka saw the trade fair as a stage to introduce her new technology to buyers.
grammar pattern: a stage to + infinitive
Darius retired from the public stage after forty years of serving as a city councillor.
- political stage
- world stage
- international stage
- public stage
- global stage
- national stage
Grammar Patterns
on the + adjective + stage
stage for + noun phrase
Usage Note
Always metaphorical. The noun is usually modified by an adjective (political stage, world stage, international stage). Unlike sense 4, this sense never refers to a physical platform.
Common Mistakes
6. The act of going onto the performance platform to begin acting, singing, dancing
The act of going onto the performance platform to begin acting, singing, dancing, or speaking in front of an audience.
The lead actor forgot his lines the moment he stepped onto the stage.
key phrase: step onto the stage
João has terrible stage fright and feels sick before every performance.
compound noun: stage fright
The audience grew quiet as the pianist took the stage and adjusted her seat.
key phrase: take the stage
Zuri came off stage shaking with excitement after singing her first solo in public.
On stage, Eitan transforms from a shy office worker into a confident performer.
- go on stage
- take the stage
- come off stage
- step onto the stage
- stage fright
- performance
Refers to the entire act of presenting to an audience, not specifically the moment of stepping onto the platform.
Grammar Patterns
go/come on stage
take the stage
Usage Note
This sense is different from sense 4 because it refers to the action or experience of performing, not the physical platform. It appears in fixed phrases like go on stage, take the stage, come off stage, and the compound stage fright.
7. The profession or world of acting, directing, and producing plays in theatres, c
The profession or world of acting, directing, and producing plays in theatres, considered as a career or area of artistic activity.
Andrew wanted a life on the stage since his first school play.
key phrase: a life on the stage
Many famous film actors began their careers on the stage in small London theatres.
key phrase: began on the stage
Her parents were not happy when she announced she was leaving university for the stage.
The awards ceremony celebrated people who have given fifty years of service to the stage.
- the stage
- on the stage
- work in the stage
- a career on the stage
- return to the stage
- theatre
Broader than stage; includes the building, the art form, and the profession. Stage focuses specifically on the performance aspect of the career.
- show business
Informal; covers a wider range of entertainment including film and television.
Grammar Patterns
the stage
work in the stage
on the stage
Usage Note
Always used with the definite article: the stage. Distinguish from sense 4: on the stage can mean 'on the physical platform' OR 'working in the profession.' Context resolves the ambiguity — if the sentence is about careers, training, or long-term commitment, it is sense 7.
Common Mistakes
To create the conditions or situation that make it possible for something to happen.
The peace agreement set the stage for new trade talks between the two countries.
William's early training in martial arts set the stage for his later success as a stunt performer.
stage by stage
idiomGradually, moving forward one step at a time through a process.
The rescue team worked stage by stage to free the trapped miners from the tunnel.
Quinn learned the complex dance routine stage by stage over several weeks of practice.
hold the stage
idiomTo be the main focus of attention in a particular situation or area of activity.
The debate about climate change held the stage at the international conference all week.
During the trial, the victim's testimony held the stage and moved everyone in the courtroom.
stage whisper
idiomA loud whisper intended to be heard by everyone, named after the way actors whisper loudly on stage.
"He has no idea what he is doing," Tara said in a stage whisper to her sister.
The teacher heard Eitan's stage whisper across the classroom during the exam.
stage — verb
1. To arrange, prepare, and present a play, musical, opera, or other performance so
To arrange, prepare, and present a play, musical, opera, or other performance so that it can be watched by an audience in a theatre.
The drama club staged a version of Romeo and Juliet set in modern-day Tokyo.
typical object: stage a play / musical / opera / show
Élise spent six months directing and staging the school's annual musical production.
The local theatre company is staging a new comedy by a young Brazilian playwright.
Sayaka and her classmates staged a puppet show for the children at the hospital.
Staging a Broadway musical requires a lot of money for sets and costumes.
- stage a play
- stage a musical
- stage a production
- stage a show
- stage a performance
Grammar Patterns
stage + noun phrase (a play / show / musical / production)
Usage Note
The object is always a type of performance (play, show, musical, opera, production). For organising non-performance events, see sense 2.
Common Mistakes
2. To plan and carry out a public event or action — such as a protest, competition,
To plan and carry out a public event or action — such as a protest, competition, ceremony, or political rally — especially one that is intended to be noticed by many people.
Thousands of workers staged a protest outside the government building demanding fair wages.
typical collocation: stage a protest / strike / demonstration
The charity staged a fundraising dinner that raised over a million dollars for cancer research.
After losing the election, the former mayor staged an impressive political comeback two years later.
collocation: stage a comeback
The university staged an international conference on renewable energy with speakers from fifteen countries.
The government staged a large fireworks display to celebrate the national holiday.
- stage a protest
- stage a strike
- stage a comeback
- stage an event
- stage a demonstration
- stage a conference
- stage a rally
Grammar Patterns
stage + noun phrase (an event / a protest / a comeback / a ceremony)
Usage Note
This sense extends the theatre meaning to real-life events. It often carries a sense of deliberate planning and public visibility. Common objects: protest, rally, strike, competition, conference, ceremony, comeback.
Common Mistakes
stage — adjective
1. Relating to a deliberately exaggerated or simplified version of a particular typ
Relating to a deliberately exaggerated or simplified version of a particular type of person — the kind of character you might see in a traditional play rather than in real life.
The movie villain was a stage villain with a black cape and an evil laugh.
typical pattern: stage + stereotypical role (villain / mother / German)
Darius used a stage German accent that sounded like a cartoon, not a real person.
Leo played a stage mother who pushes his children too hard in show business.
The director asked the actors to avoid stage emotions and feel the sadness naturally.
- stage villain
- stage mother
- stage accent
- stage emotions
- stereotypical
The closest synonym; stage adds a theatrical, performative nuance that stereotypical lacks.
- exaggerated
Focuses on the overdone quality rather than the type-representing quality.
- cliché
A noun used attributively; suggests tired, unoriginal conventions rather than the theatre connection.
- authentic
Emphasises genuineness and realness, the opposite of a theatrical stereotype.
Grammar Patterns
stage + noun (person type)
Usage Note
Only used before a noun (attributive). It is not gradable — you cannot say 'more stage' or 'very stage.' The adjective draws a contrast between a theatrical stereotype and an authentic version.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words can refer to parts of a process, but they differ in what they emphasise. Stage (the headword) is the most general — it highlights a distinct condition or position within a developing sequence (e.g., 'the early stages of the disease'). Phase suggests a clearly bounded, often cyclic portion of a process, commonly used in scientific or project contexts ('the design phase of the project'). Step foregrounds a deliberate action that moves the process forward, one action at a time ('the next step is to submit the application'). Period focuses on duration rather than position — it tells you how long something lasted, not where it falls in a sequence ('a period of economic growth'). Point is the most specific: it refers to a precise moment or location in time, not a span ('at this point, we cannot change the plan'). For learners, a useful rule: if you want to talk about the length of time, use period; if you want to talk about a deliberate action, use step; if you want to talk about a natural division in a repeating cycle, use phase; otherwise, stage is the safest choice.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word stage entered English in the 1200s through Old French estage, meaning 'a story of a building, a dwelling, or a stage for performance.' The French word came from Vulgar Latin staticum, meaning 'a standing place,' which is based on the Latin verb stare, meaning 'to stand.' The original idea was a place where you stand or stop — which developed into the sense of a raised platform (where performers stand), and then into a 'step' or 'period' in a process (a place where you pause on a journey). The modern adjective sense — meaning 'stereotypical' — came from the idea that characters in old plays often represented exaggerated types rather than real, complex people.