Definition

Noun: 1. A specific place where an event occurs: The physical location or setting where something happens. 2. A part of a play, film, or story: A subdivision of an act in a drama, or a continuous sequence of action in a movie or narrative. 3. A view or picture: A landscape, vista, or a representation of such a view in art. 4. A public display of emotion or argument: A noisy or angry outburst that attracts attention. 5. A particular area of activity or interest: A sphere, environment, or context in which events or trends occur.

Examples of Usage

• As a location:
  • The police cordoned off the scene of the accident.
  • The novel's opening scene is set in a small Parisian café.
• In a play or film:
  • The final scene of the movie is unforgettable.
  • In Act II, Scene 3, the main character reveals his secret.
• As a view or picture:
  • The artist painted a beautiful rural scene.
  • From the hilltop, we had a panoramic scene of the valley below.
• As a display of emotion:
  • She made a terrible scene in the restaurant when her order was wrong.
  • Please don't make a scene here in public.
• As a sphere of activity:
  • He is a well-known figure on the political scene.
  • The music scene in this city is very vibrant.

Advanced Usage

• "Behind the scenes": Happening privately or secretly, not seen by the public.
  • A lot of important negotiations happen behind the scenes before the official meeting.
• "Set the scene": To describe the situation or context in which something happens.
  • Let me set the scene for you: it was a dark and stormy night.
• "Steal the scene": To attract the most attention, often away from someone else.
  • The child actor completely stole the scene from the famous lead.

Variants and Related Words

• Scenery (n): The natural features of a landscape, or the painted backgrounds used on a theater stage.
  • We stopped to admire the mountain scenery.
• Scenic (adj): Having beautiful or impressive natural views.
  • We took the scenic route along the coast.
• Scenario (n): A written outline of a plot, or a postulated sequence of possible events.
  • We need to plan for the worst-case scenario.

Synonyms

• Location, site, spot (for a place).
• Setting, backdrop (for environment).
• View, vista, panorama (for a picture).
• Spectacle, outburst, commotion (for a display).
• Sphere, arena, world (for an area of activity).

Related Phrases

• On the scene: Present at a location, especially where something has happened.
  • Paramedics were on the scene within minutes.
• A change of scene: A move to different surroundings.
  • After a stressful year, she felt she needed a change of scene.

Related Idioms

• Not one's scene: Not something one is interested in or enjoys.
  • Clubbing really isn't my scene; I prefer a quiet evening at home.
• To quit the scene: (Formal/Literary) To die or to leave a situation permanently.
  • The famous actor quit the scene at the age of 85.

Noun

1. the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
   • they worked all night painting the scenery
2. the context and environment in which something is set
   • the perfect setting for a ghost story
3. graphic art consisting of the graphic or photographic representation of a visual percept
   • he painted scenes from everyday life
   • figure 2 shows photographic and schematic views of the equipment
4. a display of bad temper
   • he had a fit
   • she threw a tantrum
   • he made a scene
5. a subdivision of an act of a play
   • the first act has three scenes
6. a situation treated as an observable object
   • the political picture is favorable
   • the religious scene in England has changed in the last century
7. a consecutive series of pictures that constitutes a unit of action in a film
8. the visual percept of a region
   • the most desirable feature of the park are the beautiful views
9. an incident (real or imaginary)
   • their parting was a sad scene
10. the place where some action occurs
    • the police returned to the scene of the crime