curtain call

noun

1. the appearance of the performers at the conclusion of a theatrical or other performance in response to the applause of the audience.
2. each individual appearance of a performer at the end of a performance in response to prolonged applause.

curtain call

noun

1. the appearance of performers at the end of a theatrical performance to acknowledge applause

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtain call¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Coaxed by his teammates to make a curtain call, Ohtani emerged just as the pitch clock was about to expire in Baumann’s next at-bat.

From Los Angeles Times

The show follows a university drama company trying to put on a 1920s Agatha Christie murder mystery in which the actors and crew battle to make it through to the curtain call.

From BBC

They bolted at the final note to get backstage for curtain calls and were met with cheers — not a given with European audiences alternately amazed, addled and appalled by reinvented works known as regietheater.

From Seattle Times

Then Freeman unloaded on a 2-and-1 fastball at the knees, crushing a grand slam to center field -- the sixth of his career -- to earn a brief curtain call from a crowd of 37,634.

From Los Angeles Times

Homoki was met with only one or two boos during curtain calls in an age when a sizeable segment of the audience often jeers Wagner directors.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• applause
• ovation