stage fright

noun

: nervousness felt at appearing before an audience

Examples of stage fright in a Sentence

She got over her stage fright by the second act. I get stage fright whenever I have to speak in front of a large group of people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lorde also talked about how her previous struggles with stage fright have subsided for now and how her pre-show rituals help keep her grounded and comfortable during performances. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025 And the ego needed to overcome shyness and stage fright collides with the endless rejection that defines the profession. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 Renate does not suffer from stage fright. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2025 This tour also follows Lorde's two years of MDMA and psilocybin therapy, a PTSD treatment, which helped free her from crippling stage fright. Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stage fright

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stage fright was in 1876

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stage fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stage%20fright. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

stage fright

noun
: nervousness felt at appearing before an audience
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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