green-room

The actor waits in the green-room before the performance.

Definition

Noun: - A backstage lounge: "green-room" refers to a room in a theatre, studio, or similar venue where performers, actors, or guests can rest or wait when they are not on stage or on camera. It is typically located near the stage or performance area.

Usage Examples

• (The performers waited in the backstage lounge before the show started.)
• (The interviewee was taken to the waiting area to rest.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be in the green-room": to be waiting offstage or backstage.

  • The dancers were in the green-room, warming up for their next number. (They were in the backstage lounge preparing for their performance.)

• "green-room gossip": informal conversation or rumours exchanged among performers in the waiting area.

  • The cast shared green-room gossip about the director's next project. (They discussed backstage rumours.)

Variants and Related Words

• Green room (n, alternate spelling): the same as "green-room," often written as two separate words.

  • The green room was decorated with comfortable sofas and mirrors. (The backstage lounge was furnished for performers.)

• Green (adj): the colour, from which the term likely derives (historically, such rooms were painted green to reduce glare for actors' eyes).

  • The walls of the green-room were painted a soft shade of green. (The room's colour matches its name.)

Synonyms

• Backstage lounge: a waiting area behind the stage.
• Dressing room (though this is more specific for changing costumes): a room where performers prepare.
• Green area (rare): an informal term for the same space.

Related Idioms

• "Green-room talk": conversation that occurs in the backstage waiting area, often about the performance or industry.
  • The director overheard some green-room talk about the new play. (He heard backstage discussion.)

Notes on Origin

• The term "green-room" dates back to the 17th century. One theory suggests the room was painted green because it was believed to be restful for actors' eyes after performing under bright stage lights. Another theory links it to the green baize cloth often used to cover tables in such rooms.