Definition of 'scene'

COBUILD frequency band

scene

(sin

)

Word forms: plural scenes

1. countable noun

A scene in a play, movie, or book is part of it in which a series of events happen in the same place.

...the opening scene of "A Christmas Carol."

...Act I, scene 1.

2. countable noun

You refer to a place as a scene when you are describing its appearance and indicating what impression it makes on you.

It's a scene of complete devastation.

Thick black smoke billowed over the scene.

3. countable noun

You can describe an event that you see, or that is broadcast or shown in a picture, as a scene of a particular kind.

There were emotional scenes as the refugees enjoyed their first breath of freedom.

Television broadcasters were warned to exercise caution over depicting scenes of violence.

Synonyms: incident, happening, event, episode More Synonyms of scene

4. countable noun

The scene of an event is the place where it happened.

The area has been the scene of fierce fighting for three months.

...traces left at the scene of a crime.

Synonyms: site, place, setting, area More Synonyms of scene

5. singular noun

You can refer to an area of activity as a particular type of scene.

Sandman's experimentation has made him something of a cult figure on the local music scene.

6. countable noun

If you make a scene, you embarrass people by publicly showing your anger about something.

I'm sorry I made such a scene.

Synonyms: fuss, to-do, row, performance [informal] More Synonyms of scene

See behind the scenes

See a change of scene

10.

See set the scene for sth

11.

See on the scene/from the scene

More Synonyms of scene

American English pronunciation

It seems that your browser is blocking this video content.

To access it, add this site to the exceptions or modify your security settings, then refresh this page.

British English pronunciation

It seems that your browser is blocking this video content.

To access it, add this site to the exceptions or modify your security settings, then refresh this page.

Learn how to use this word
scene

It seems that your browser is blocking this video content.

To access it, add this site to the exceptions or modify your security settings, then refresh this page.

Like this video? View our full video series to improve your English
This video in association with Ready to Run authentic video for English Learners https://readytorun.digitallearningassociates.com/

scene in American English

(sin )

nounOrigin: MFr scène < L scena, scaena < Gr skēnē, covered place, tent, stage < IE base *sk̑ai-, to gleam softly > shine

in ancient Greece or Rome, a theater stage

the place in which any event, real or imagined, occurs

a crime scene

the setting or locale of the action of a play, opera, story, etc.

the scene of Hamlet is Denmark

a division of a play, usually part of an act, in which conventionally the action is continuous and in a single place

a part of a play, film, story, etc. that constitutes a unit of development or action, as a passage between certain characters

b. cinema

a section of a film, usually made up of a number of shots, which is unified by time, setting, characters, etc.

6. scenery (sense 1)

a view of people or places; picture or spectacle

an awkward or embarrassing display of strong or excited feeling before others

to make a scene in court

an episode, situation, or event, real or imaginary, esp. as described or represented

10. informal

the locale or environment for a specified activity

the poetry scene

Idioms:

behind the scenes

make the scene

COBUILD frequency band

scene in American English

(sin)

noun

the place where some action or event occurs

We 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

8. scenery (sense 2)

9. Literature

an episode, situation, or the like, as in a narrative

the setting or locale of a story

10.

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

11.

an area or sphere of activity, current interest, etc

the rock music scene

the fashion scene

12. See behind the scenes

13. See make the scene

SYNONYMS 1. arena, stage, location; center, focus. 2. See view. 3. episode. 4. demonstration, spectacle, show.

Word origin

[1530–40; ‹ L scēna background (of the stage) ‹ Gk skēne᷄ booth (where actors dressed)]

COBUILD frequency band

scene in British English

(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

5. cinema

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

9. informal

the environment for a specific activity

the fashion scene

10. informal

interest or chosen occupation

classical music is not my scene

11. rare

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

12. See behind the scenes

Word origin

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

Examples of 'scene' in a sentence
scene

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.

We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…

That school was used for the chapel and the playing field scenes.We all jumped back into the car and raced away from the scene of the crime.This would set the scene for an intriguing clash of philosophies in the back row.Only in the last few scenes does the film weaken.The court heard that police and ambulances arrived at the scene of the staged accident.It is the best scene in the book.So filming their first scenes since her comeback was emotional for both of them.It was like a scene from a play.The scenes were pictures from my first school Bible.In shocking scenes, she ages by decades and is left a wrinkly OAP!

Word lists with
scene

theatre

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

Which theatre term am I?

the section of seats above the main level of the auditorium, usually comprising the dress circle and the upper circle

circle gallery stalls

Which theatre term am I?

a talk given in front of the curtain after a stage performance, often by the author or an actor

act curtain speech orchestra pit

Which theatre term am I?

the characters or a list of characters in a play or story

backstage dramatis personae gallery

Which theatre term am I?

the denouement of a play, esp a classical tragedy

act catastrophe chorus

Which theatre term am I?

a minor female role in comedy, often that of a pert lady's maid

act soubrette unities

Your score:

More idioms containing
scene

set the scene for something

Related word partners
scene

Trends of
scene

View usage over:

Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

In other languages
scene

British English: scene /siːn/ NOUN

A scene in a play, film, or book is part of it in which a series of events happen in the same place.

...the opening scene of the play.

American English: scene /ˈsin/
Arabic: مَشْهَد
Brazilian Portuguese: cena
Chinese: 现场
Croatian: scena
Czech: dějiště
Danish: scene
Dutch: scène voorval, toneel
European Spanish: escenario suceso
Finnish: tapahtumapaikka rikoksen ym.
French: scène partie d’un film
German: Schauplatz
Greek: σκηνή
Italian: scena
Japanese: 場面
Korean: 현장
Norwegian: scene
Polish: scena widownia
European Portuguese: cena
Romanian: scenă
Russian: сцена
Spanish: escenario
Swedish: scen
Thai: ฉาก
Turkish: sahne olay, bölüm
Ukrainian: сцена
Vietnamese: quang cảnh

Translate your text for free

Definition of 'scene'

scene

Learn how to use this word
scene

scene in American English

scene in American English

scene in British English

Examples of 'scene' in a sentence
scene

Word lists with
scene

More idioms containing
scene

Related word partners
scene

Trends of
scene

In other languages
scene

Browse alphabetically
scene

Related terms of
scene

Wordle Helper

Scrabble Tools

Definition of 'scene'

scene

Learn how to use this word scene

scene in American English

scene in American English

scene in British English

Examples of 'scene' in a sentence scene

Word lists with scene

More idioms containing scene

Related word partners scene <span class="logo_information" style="background-image:url(&#34;/us/external/images/information-button.svg?version=6.0.90&#34;)"> </span>

Trends of scene

In other languages scene

Browse alphabetically scene

Related terms of scene

Wordle Helper

Scrabble Tools

Learn how to use this word
scene

Examples of 'scene' in a sentence
scene

Word lists with
scene

More idioms containing
scene

Related word partners
scene

Trends of
scene

In other languages
scene

Browse alphabetically
scene

Related terms of
scene