scene
Pronounced:
/ˈsi:n/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural scenesMeaning:
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
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 scene —see 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.
2 : to create the conditions in which something can happen ▪ His comments set the scene for an argument.