/ siːn; NAmE / noun
PLACE
1.
[ C , usually sing. ] scene (of sth) the place where sth happens, especially sth unpleasant :
the scene of the accident / attack / crime
Firefighters were on the scene immediately.
➡ note at place
EVENT
2.
[ C ] scene (of sth) 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.
IN MOVIE / PLAY, etc.
3.
[ C ] 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) .
4.
[ C ] one of the small sections that a play or an opera is divided into :
Act I, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth'
AREA OF ACTIVITY
5.
the scene , the ... scene [ sing. ] ( 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 .
VIEW
6.
[ C ] a view that you see :
a delightful rural scene
They went abroad for a change of scene (= to see and experience new surroundings) .
➡ note at view
PAINTING / PHOTOGRAPH
7.
[ C ] a painting, drawing, or photograph of a place and the things that are happening there :
an exhibition of Parisian street scenes
ARGUMENT
8.
[ C , usually sing. ] 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.'
•
IDIOMS
- behind the scenes
- not sb's scene
- set the scene (for sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (denoting a subdivision of a play, or (a piece of) stage scenery): from Latin scena , from Greek skēnē tent, stage.