| nervousness felt by a performer or speaker when appearing before an audience. |
| stage fright n. Acute nervousness associated with performing or speaking before an audience. |
| Main Entry: | stage fright |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | See performance anxiety |
stage fright
Acute nervousness when performing or speaking before an audience, as in When John first had to present his findings to the board of directors, stage fright made him stutter. [Second half of 1800s]