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Synonyms

scenery

American  
[see-nuh-ree] / ˈsi nə ri /

noun

  1. the general appearance of a place; the aggregate of features that give character to a landscape.

    Synonyms:
    view, terrain

  2. hangings, draperies, structures, etc., used on a stage to represent a locale or furnish decorative background.

idioms

  1. chew the scenery, to act melodramatically; overact.

scenery British  
/ ˈsiːnərɪ /

noun

  1. the natural features of a landscape

  2. theatre the painted backcloths, stage structures, etc, used to represent a location in a theatre or studio

"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

Etymology

Origin of scenery

First recorded in 1740–50; scene + -ery

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He admired the scenery in Cuba and said he was happy it wasn’t “in a hurricane zone.”

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

Don’t miss Kahlo’s 1946 “Tree of Hope, Remain Strong” among all of MoMA’s scenery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Cinematographer Tim Ives snatches his rare opportunities to shoot the beautiful scenery, but most of the pair’s encounters take place in or near Ledger’s orange pickup truck, a totem from the book.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Rust-colored mountains tower on the horizon, pale-green succulents defy the parched earth, Spanish-style shingles fill the scenery.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

Spangler said he was too busy moving scenery.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.