stage fright

NOUN

fear of performing onstage

Synonyms

WEAK

aphonia aphonia clericorum aphonia paralytica aphonia paranoica bashfulness buck fever butterflies flop sweat freeze hysterical aphonia loss of speech mike fright mutism spastic aphonia

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The rapper and singer will.i.am has played hundreds of shows and sold millions of records, but his latest debut—as a professor of a college class about artificial intelligence—gave him stage fright.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Here, she discusses the jazz warm-up she’s used for decades, dealing with stage fright and loving the divas she plays.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

Speaking with somebody that I’ve talked to many times helps ease the sort of stage fright there.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2025

Seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan says he will overcome "stage fright" to take on Ali Carter in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2025

Obviously, he never got something as lame as stage fright.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

stage fright

Example Sentences

Related Words