Search Results

Entry Found...


scene

Pronounced:

/ˈsi:n/Listen to audio

Function:

noun

Inflected forms:

plural scenes

Meaning:

1 [count] a : a division of an act in a play during which the action takes place in a single place without a break in time The play's opening scene takes place in the courtyard. Act I, Scene 3 b : a part of a play, movie, story, etc., in which a particular action or activity occurs a famous love/fight/chase scene The actor was nervous about his big scene.
2 [count] : a view or sight that looks like a picture a winter scene scenes [=images] of poverty
3 [count] : the place of an event or action This is the scene [=location] where the movie was filmed. a crime scene Police are now at/on the scene.often + of the scene of the crime/attack/accident The scene [=setting] of the story is New York City in the 1920s.
4 [count] : an occurrence in which someone becomes angry and loud in a noticeable way in a public place —usually singular There was quite an ugly/angry scene at the restaurant. The little boy made a scene because his mother wouldn't buy him candy.
5 [noncount] a : a particular area of activity that involves many people The music scene is changing in the city. The nightclub scene isn't for me. = (informal) Nightclubs are not my scene. [=I do not like to go to nightclubs] He is new to the political scene. [=arena] After years of making movies, she suddenly vanished from the scene. b : someone's usual area of activity or surroundings : the place where someone lives, works, etc. —used in the phrase change of scene I'm sick of the cold weather. I need a change of scene. [=I need to go somewhere else]
6 [count] : something that happens : an event or occurrence The book describes scenes [=episodes] from his childhood.often + of scenes of violence a scene of celebration
behind the scenes
: in or into a private or secret place where things are done without being seen or known by the public The workers behind the scenes have made the event a success. They made the deal behind the scenes. We were taken behind the scenes to see the making of the movie.see also behind-the-scenes
enter the scenesee enter
on the scene
used to say that someone or something is or has become an important part of a situation, activity, etc. She was lonely for a while, but now there's a new boyfriend on the scene. [=she has a new boyfriend] a popular singer who first burst on the scene last year Our lives have changed a lot since computers have come/appeared on the scene.see also scene 3 (above)
set the scene
1 : to give someone information that is needed to understand something Before I tell the story, let me set the scene (for you).
2 : to create the conditions in which something can happen His comments set the scene for an argument.
Share this entry:    Share this word with digg Share this word with reddit Share this word with technorati Share this word with del.icio.us Share this word with furl Share this word with stumbleupon Share this word with google Share this word with blinklist Share this word with newsvine Share this word with facebook Share this word with myspace

Link to this page:   
Learn about the book...

Merriam-Webster's

Advanced Learner's Dictionary

It's here! The first learner's dictionary from America's language experts is the perfect resource for teachers and students of English as a second language, with over 100,000 words and phrases, loads of drawings and illustrations, and the most example sentences of any learner's dictionary. It also includes a free eBook download. Learn more here.

Browse the Learner's Dictionary

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z