scene

[ seen ]

noun

1. the place where some action or event occurs:

   He returned to the scene of the accident.

   Synonyms: focus, center, location, stage, arena

2. any view or picture:

   The scene that lay before me, with its snow and colorful leaves, was beautiful.

3. an incident or situation in real life:

   She witnessed the scene at the restaurant as it happened.

   Synonyms: episode

4. an embarrassing outbreak or display of anger, strong feeling, or bad manners:

   Please don't make a scene in such a public place.

   Synonyms: show, spectacle, demonstration

5. a division of a play or of an act of a play, usually representing a passage of time in a single setting, featuring a specific character or group of characters:

   Scene Four takes place in a city park at dawn.

6. a unit of action or a segment of a story in a play, motion picture, or television show:

   The DVD contains many short scenes showing classic plane models at U.S. and European airports.

7. the place in which the action of a play or part of a play is supposed to occur.
8. scenery ( def 2 ).
9. Literature.
   1. an episode, situation, or the like, as in a narrative.
   2. the setting or locale of a story.
10. the stage, especially of an ancient Greek or Roman theater.
11. an area or sphere of activity, current interest, etc.:

    the rock music scene;

    the fashion scene.

scene

/ siːn /

noun

1. the place where an action or event, real or imaginary, occurs
2. the setting for the action of a play, novel, etc
3. an incident or situation, real or imaginary, esp as described or represented
4. 1. a subdivision of an act of a play, in which the time is continuous and the setting fixed
   2. a single event, esp a significant one, in a play
5. films a shot or series of shots that constitutes a unit of the action
6. the backcloths, stage setting, etc, for a play or film set; scenery
7. the prospect of a place, landscape, etc
8. a display of emotion, esp an embarrassing one to the onlookers
9. informal.
   the environment for a specific activity

   the fashion scene

10. informal.
    interest or chosen occupation

    classical music is not my scene

11. rare.
    the stage, esp of a theatre in ancient Greece or Rome
12. behind the scenes
    behind the scenes out of public view; privately

Other Words From

• in·ter·scene noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scene¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin scēna “background” (of the stage), from Greek skēnḗ “booth” (where actors dressed)

Word History and Origins

Origin of scene¹

C16: from Latin scēna theatrical stage, from Greek skēnē tent, stage

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make the scene, Slang. to appear in a particular place or engage in a particular activity:

   Let's make the scene downtown tonight. She was never one to make the drug scene.

2. behind the scenes. behind the scenes.

More idioms and phrases containing scene

see behind the scenes ; make a scene ; make the scene ; on the scene ; set the scene for .

Synonym Study

See view.

Example Sentences

We don’t want to come on set and crowd an actress who’s just had a really difficult scene.

From Fortune

The 19-year-old from Los Angeles posts comedy videos, skits, and re-enacts scenes from Netflix shows.

From Fortune

These 39 people — some of whom you’ll recognize, while others operate behind the scenes — will shape what could be a rocky time from November 3 to January 20.

From Ozy

I’ve had moments where I’m literally on set, waiting to do a scene, my lines are ready, I’m geeked up, ready to go.

From Ozy

Behind the scenes, people were talking about Potts’ trip to the hospital.

From ProPublica

Hovering above the scene, commandos in helicopters were poised with automatic rifles.

From The Daily Beast

But since those rosy scenarios were first floated, the California political scene has grown more crowded.

From The Daily Beast

The scene was heavily cordoned off to traffic and anyone not with the police, press, or residents.

From The Daily Beast

The following page details a tribute gag the Simpsons team inserted into the background of a scene.

From The Daily Beast

“The play contains one five minute scene about James Hewitt,” Conway says.

From The Daily Beast

Then Paterno adroitly brought matters to a crisis in a bold peroration which changed the whole scene.

From Project Gutenberg

The scene is the covenant made between the two first persons of the Trinity on Mount Moriah.

From Project Gutenberg

Impressed by the lugubrious scene, Aguinaldo yielded, and the next day peace negotiations were opened.

From Project Gutenberg

The scene and field of that learning hitherto has been, in our Western communities, the University.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not until later days that Malcolm knew the real nature of the scene through which he rode.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arena
• display
• landscape
• location
• picture
• place
• scenery
• set
• setting
• show
• sight
• site
• spectacle
• spot
• stage
• theater
• view