scene
Pluralscenes
Pluralscenes
- 1A part of a play, film, or book, usually showing action in one place without a break in time.
Like one chapter of a book that all happens in the same room.
The first scene takes place in a quiet kitchen.
My favorite scenes in the movie are the funny ones.
UsageSay in the first scene of a film or play. Use at the scene for the place where an event happens.
Note
- 2The place where something important happens, such as an accident or a crime.
Like the spot where everyone hurries to look after something big happens.
Police rushed to the scene of the accident.
Reporters gathered at the scene within minutes.
UsageSay at the scene or to the scene of an accident.
- 3A group of people who share an interest, along with the places and things they do together.
Like a big friendship circle built around something everyone loves, such as music.
She has been part of the local music scene for years.
The skateboarding scene here is small but friendly.
UsagePut the interest first: the music scene, the skateboarding scene.
Similarworld, community, subculture, circle, milieu
Note
- 4What you can see in a place at one time, such as a pretty view or a busy street.
Like a postcard picture of the land spread out in front of you.
From the hilltop, the scene below was full of green fields.
She painted the peaceful scene by the river.
UsageOne view is a scene. All the land you see is scenery (not
incorrect: sceneries).Note
- 5The place, time, and situation where something happens or where a story takes place.
Like the time and place written at the start of a story to tell you where you are.
In this book, the scene is a busy city a hundred years ago.
The novel changes scene from the city to the coast.
UsagePeople often say set the scene: tell where and when a story happens.
Similarsetting, background, locale, milieu
Note
Less common meanings
- 6A loud, emotional fuss made in front of other people that causes embarrassment.
Like a sudden storm of shouting and tears that everyone around has to watch.
He made a scene at the airport when his flight was canceled.
The child threw a tantrum and caused quite a scene in the store.
UsageSay make a scene or cause a scene.
Similarfuss, commotion, spectacle, outburst, tantrum
Note
- 7An activity, place or way of life that someone likes and feels at home in, usually said as 'my scene.'
Loud parties aren't really my scene. I'd rather stay home with a movie.
Camping in the woods is much more her scene than a fancy hotel.
UsagePeople often say not my scene to say kindly that they don't like something.
Similarthing
Note
- 8The painted backgrounds and furniture on a stage that show where a play happens.
Like a big stage decoration that shows where the story is happening.
She works in the scene shop, building sets for the school play.
The scene painter made the cardboard castle look like real stone.
UsageUsed in words like scene shop. Behind the scenes means where people cannot see.
Note
- 9Called out to tell actors that a scene or performance has ended and they can stop acting.
Like a coach blowing a whistle to tell players the game is over.
The director called, 'And scene!' and the actors stopped acting.
After the last take, we heard 'And scene!' and the long day was over.
Similarcut
Oppositeaction
Note
- 10The stage in a theater where actors perform plays.
Note
- 11A young people's style and culture that was popular in the 2000s, with bold hair and clothes.
- 12A planned encounter or acted-out fantasy that partners agree on together, especially in BDSM.
- 13To take part in a planned encounter or acted-out fantasy together, especially in BDSM.
- 14To show off something for others to watch, as if putting on a display.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It came from Latin scaena, which came from the Greek word skēnḗ, meaning "stage."
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Scene derives from Latin scaena. fr.wiktionary.org
- Latin scaena derives from Greek skēnḗ. en.wiktionary.org
- Greek skēnḗ means stage. en.wiktionary.org