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scene Listen to audio/ˈsi:n/ noun
plural scenes
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.

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