scene

[ seen ]

/ sin /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scene ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the place where some action or event occurs: He returned to the scene of the murder.

any view or picture.

an incident or situation in real life.

an embarrassing outbreak or display of anger, strong feeling, or bad manners: Please don't make a scene in such a public place.

a division of a play or of an act of a play, usually representing what passes between certain of the actors in one place.

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

the place in which the action of a play or part of a play is supposed to occur.

scenery(def 2).

Literature.

an episode, situation, or the like, as in a narrative.
the setting or locale of a story.

the stage, especially of an ancient Greek or Roman theater.

an area or sphere of activity, current interest, etc.: the rock music scene; the fashion scene.

Nearby words

scelp, scena, scenario, scenarist, scend, scene, scene dock, scene master, scene-stealer, scenery, scenic

Idioms

behind the scenes, in secret or in private.

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.

Origin of scene

1530–40; < Latin scēna background (of the stage) < Greek skēnḗ booth (where actors dressed)

SYNONYMS FOR scene

1 arena, stage, location; center, focus.

2 See view.

3 episode.

4 demonstration, spectacle, show.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scene ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·ter·scene, noun

Can be confused

scene seen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for scene

Hovering above the scene, commandos in helicopters were poised with automatic rifles.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The scene was heavily cordoned off to traffic and anyone not with the police, press, or residents.
Police Hunt for Paris Massacre Suspects|Tracy McNicoll, Christopher Dickey|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The following page details a tribute gag the Simpsons team inserted into the background of a scene.
Here’s the Lost Judd Apatow ‘Simpsons’ Episode, Penned by Judd Apatow|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“The play contains one five minute scene about James Hewitt,” Conway says.
Harry’s Daddy, and Diana’s ‘Murder’: Royal Rumors In a New Play|Tom Sykes|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Suddenly, without warning, the whole feeling of the scene changes.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When Gwynne and Isabel descended the steps and stood looking down upon the scene for a moment, the younger people were dancing.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
The grey light of dawn faintly illumined this scene of carnage, and its pale, cold gleams mingled with the ruddy glow of the fire.
Annals of a Fortress|E. Viollet-le-Duc
Had I known all that must befall me, before my eyes beheld that scene again, I think indeed that it would have burst.
Montezuma's Daughter|H. Rider Haggard
It was Loring's attitude throughout the scene that chiefly impressed Amaldi.
Shadows of Flames|Amelie Rives
The mention of Description brings us to the scene of a narrative.
Talks on Writing English|Arlo Bates

British Dictionary definitions for scene

scene

/ (siːn) /

noun

the place where an action or event, real or imaginary, occurs

the setting for the action of a play, novel, etc

an incident or situation, real or imaginary, esp as described or represented

a subdivision of an act of a play, in which the time is continuous and the setting fixed
a single event, esp a significant one, in a play

films a shot or series of shots that constitutes a unit of the action

the backcloths, stage setting, etc, for a play or film set; scenery

the prospect of a place, landscape, etc

a display of emotion, esp an embarrassing one to the onlookers

informal the environment for a specific activitythe fashion scene

informal interest or chosen occupationclassical music is not my scene

rare the stage, esp of a theatre in ancient Greece or Rome

behind the scenes out of public view; privately

Word Origin for scene

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with scene

scene

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