- 1 [countable, usually singular] scene (of something) the place where something happens, especially something unpleasant the scene of the accident/attack/crime Firefighters were on the scene immediately. Italy was the scene of many demonstrations at that time. Synonymsplacesite area position point location scene spot venueThese are all words for a particular area or part of an area, especially one used for a particular purpose or where somebody/something is situated or happens.place a particular point, area, city, town, building, etc, especially one used for a particular purpose or where a particular thing happens:This would be a good place for a picnic.site the place where something, especially a building, is or will be situated; a place where something happened or that is used for a particular purpose:They’ve chosen a site for the new school.area a part of a room, building or particular space that is used for a special purpose; a particular place on an object:the hotel reception area Move the cursor to a blank area on the screen.position the place where a person or thing is situated; the place where somebody/something is meant to be:From his position at the top of the hill, he could see the harbour. The position of somebody/something is often temporary: the place where somebody/something is at a particular time.point a particular place within an area, where something happens or is supposed to happen:the point at which the river divideslocation a place where something happens or exists, especially a place that is not named or not known:The company is moving to a new location.scene a place where something happens, especially something unpleasant:the scene of the accidentspot a particular point or area, especially one that has a particular character or where something particular happens:The lake is one of the local beauty spots.venue the place where people meet for an organized event such as a performance or sports event.Patterns at a place/site/position/point/location/scene/spot/venue in a(n) place/area/position/location/venue the place/site/point/location/spot/venue where… the right place/site/position/location/spot/venue a central site/position/location/venue the/somebody’s/something’s exact/precise place/site/position/point/location/spot Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveaccident, crash, crime, … verb + sceneattend, be on, arrive at, … prepositionat the scene, on the scene, scene of, … See full entry event
- 2 [countable] scene (of something) an event or a situation that you see, especially one of a particular type The team's victory produced scenes of joy all over the country. She witnessed some very distressing scenes. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebeautiful, charming, idyllic, … verb + scenestare at, survey, watch, … scene + verboccur, unfold, be reminiscent of something, … prepositionamid scenes of, in a/the scene, scene from, … phrasesa change of scene See full entry in movie/play, etc.
- 3 [countable] a part of a film/movie, play or book in which the action happens in one place or is of one particular type The movie opens with a scene in a New York apartment. love/sex scenes I got very nervous before my big scene (= the one where I have a very important part). Wordfinderplotdialogue, ending, flashback, plot, narrate, scenario, scene, storyline, tension, twist Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveopening, climactic, final, … verb + sceneact, play, rehearse, … scene + verbfeature somebody, depict something, show something, … scene + nounchange prepositionin a/the scene, scene between phrasesbehind the scenes, a change of scene See full entry See related entries: Film reviews and promotion, Film plots, Elements of a story
- 4 [countable] one of the small sections that a play or an opera is divided into Act I, Scene 2 of ‘Macbeth’ Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveopening, climactic, final, … verb + sceneact, play, rehearse, … scene + verbfeature somebody, depict something, show something, … scene + nounchange prepositionin a/the scene, scene between phrasesbehind the scenes, a change of scene See full entry See related entries: Elements of a play area of activity
- 5the scene, the… scene [singular] (informal) a particular area of activity or way of life and the people who are part of it After years at the top, she just vanished from the scene. the club/dance/music, etc. scene A newcomer has appeared on the fashion scene. British players were finding it increasingly difficult to compete on the international scene. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveburgeoning, flourishing, lively, … verb + scenebe involved in, be part of, appear on, … prepositionon the scene, onto the scene phrasesa newcomer to the scene, not your scene See full entry view
- 6 [countable] a view that you see a delightful rural scene They went abroad for a change of scene (= to see and experience new surroundings). Synonymsviewsight scene panoramaThese are all words for a thing that you can see, especially from a particular place.view what you can see from a particular place or position, especially beautiful natural scenery:The cottage had a delightful sea view.sight a thing that you see or can see, especially something that is impressive or unusual:It’s a spectacular sight as the flamingos lift into the air.scene a view that you see, especially one with people and/or animals moving about and doing things:It was a delightful rural scene.panorama a view of a wide area of land:The tower offers a breathtaking panorama of Prague.Patterns a view/panorama of something a beautiful/breathtaking view/sight/scene/panorama a magnificent/spectacular view/sight/panorama to take in the view/sight/scene to admire the view/sight Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebeautiful, charming, idyllic, … verb + scenestare at, survey, watch, … scene + verboccur, unfold, be reminiscent of something, … prepositionamid scenes of, in a/the scene, scene from, … phrasesa change of scene See full entry painting/photograph
- 7 [countable] a painting, drawing, or photograph of a place and the things that are happening there an exhibition of Parisian street scenes See related entries: Describing art argument
- 8[countable, usually singular] a loud, angry argument, especially one that happens in public and is embarrassing She had made a scene in the middle of the party. ‘Please leave,’ he said. ‘I don't want a scene.’ Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebig, little, angry, … verb + scenecause, create, make, … prepositionscene between See full entry More Like This Silent letters gnarled, gnash, gnat, gnaw, gnome haute cuisine, heir, (NAmE herb), honour, hors d’oeuvre, hour knack, knee, kneel, knife, knight, knit, knob, knock, knot, know, knuckle psalm, psephology, psychic, ptarmigan, pterodactyl, psychology wrangle, wrap, wreath, wreck, wrench, wrestle, wriggle, wring, write, wrong bomb, climb, crumb, doubt, lamb, limb ascent, fascinate, muscle, scene, scissors height, right, sleigh, weight align, campaign, design, foreign, malign, reign, unfeigned balmy, calm, calf, half, yolk autumn, column, condemn, damn, hymn, solemn bristle, fasten, listen, mortgage, soften, thistle, wrestle biscuit, build, circuit, disguise, guilty, league, rogue, vague yacht answer, sword, twoSee worksheet. See related entries: Anger Word Originmid 16th cent. (denoting a subdivision of a play, or (a piece of) stage scenery): from Latin scena, from Greek skēnē ‘tent, stage’. Wordfinderdramacomedy, denouement, dialogue, drama, dramatic irony, play, scene, set, soliloquy, speech Wordfinderplayact, cast, drama, entrance, exit, line, play, role, scene, speechExtra examples A police officer attended the scene. An ambulance soon arrived at the scene of the accident. He appears in the opening scene. He is heavily involved in the local art scene. He painted scenes of country life. He surveyed the scene with horror. Hillwalking is not my scene, so I stayed at home. I replayed the scene in my mind. I stared out of the window of the train on the ever-changing scene. Many of the stars of the nineties have completely vanished from the music scene. Owen arrived on the international scene in the 1998 World Cup. PC Michael Potter attended the scene. Paramedics tended the wounded in scenes reminiscent of wartime. Photographers were on the scene in seconds. Police say the man died at the scene. Quiet! Don’t make a scene! She had some terrible scenes with her father. She opened the door on an extraordinary scene of disorder. She plays the love scenes brilliantly. The battlefield was a scene of utter carnage. The criminal often revisits the scene of the crime. The film has several steamy bedroom scenes. The film’s director is a newcomer to the Hollywood scene. The little girl stole the scene from all the big stars. The police were called to the scene. The scene is set in the first paragraph with an account of Sally’s childhood. The star arrived amidst scenes of excitement. Then the scene shifts to the kitchen. There have been a couple of ugly scenes between him and the manager. There is a dramatic fight scene between the two brothers. We ran through the final scene again. We sat in horror watching the scenes of violence unfold before us. You’re exhausted. What you need is a complete change of scene. a gun found at the scene of the crime a touching domestic scene footprints found near the murder scene scenes from Greek mythology the eruption of Cuban music onto the world scene ‘Please leave,’ he said. ‘I don’t want a scene.’ I got nervous before my big scene. It was a delightful rural scene. It was the scene of many battles in the past. Several onlookers gathered at the scene of the accident. She’s a scene of crime officer. The film contains some minor sex scenes. The scene of the crime is being investigated by the police. The scene where he arrives at the factory is the turning point in the book. They went abroad for a change of scene.Idioms
- 1in the part of a theatre, etc. that the public does not usually see The students were able to go behind the scenes to see how programmes are made.
- 2in a way that people in general are not aware of A lot of negotiating has been going on behind the scenes. behind-the-scenes work
- 1to create a situation in which something can easily happen or develop His arrival set the scene for another argument.
- 2to give somebody the information and details they need in order to understand what comes next The first part of the programme was just setting the scene.
noun jump to other results
BrE BrE//siːn//; NAmE NAmE//siːn//
Elements of a play, Film reviews and promotion, Film plots, Describing art, Elements of a story, Anger(informal) not the type of thing that somebody likes or enjoys doing
Check pronunciation: scene
