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Definition of scene noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

scene

noun
 
/siːn/
 
/siːn/
Idioms
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    place

  1. [countable, usually singular] the place where something happens, especially something unpleasant
    • the scene of the accident/crime/crash
    • The attacker fled the scene.
    • Italy was the scene of many demonstrations at that time.
    • on the scene Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes.
    • at the scene Sadly the man died at the scene.
    Homophones scene | seenscene   seen
     
    /siːn/
     
    /siːn/
    • scene noun
      • A police officer attended the scene.
    • seen verb (past participle of see)
      • Have you seen her latest film?
    Synonyms placeplacesite 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 located; 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 located; 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 divides
    location 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 accident
    spot 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
    see also crime scene
    Extra Examples
    • An ambulance soon arrived at the scene of the accident.
    • The criminal sometimes revisits the scene of the crime.
    • Police say the man died at the scene.
    • The police were called to the scene.
    • footprints found near the murder scene
    • It was the scene of many battles in the past.
    Topics Crime and punishmenta2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • accident
    • crash
    • crime
    verb + scene
    • attend
    • be on
    • arrive at
    preposition
    • at the scene
    • on the scene
    • scene of
    See full entry
  2. event

  3. [countable, usually plural] an event or a situation that you see, especially one of a particular type
    • The team's victory produced scenes of jubilation all over the country.
    • a scene of devastation/carnage
    • She witnessed some very distressing scenes.
    Extra Examples
    • He surveyed the scene with horror.
    • I replayed the scene in my mind.
    • Paramedics tended the wounded in scenes reminiscent of wartime.
    • She opened the door on an extraordinary scene of disorder.
    • The battlefield was a scene of utter carnage.
    • We sat in horror watching the scenes of violence unfold before us.
    • The star arrived amidst scenes of excitement.
    • a touching domestic scene
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • beautiful
    • charming
    • idyllic
    verb + scene
    • stare at
    • survey
    • watch
    scene + verb
    • occur
    • unfold
    • be reminiscent of something
    preposition
    • amid scenes of
    • in a/​the scene
    • scene from
    phrases
    • a change of scene
    See full entry
  4. in movie/play, etc.

  5. [countable] a part of a film, play or book in which the action happens in one place or is of one particular type
    • sex/fight/action/battle scenes
    • deleted scenes (= ones that were not included in the final version)
    • to film/shoot a scene
    • They shot the opening scene 15 times.
    • I got very nervous before my big scene (= the one where I have a very important part).
    • The scene where he arrives at the factory is the turning point in the book.
    Extra Examples
    • He appears in the opening scene.
    • She plays the love scenes brilliantly.
    • The film has several steamy bedroom scenes.
    • The little girl stole the scene from all the big stars.
    • Then the scene shifts to the kitchen.
    • There is a dramatic fight scene between the two brothers.
    • We ran through the final scene again.
    • The film contains some minor sex scenes.
    • The movie opens with a scene in a New York apartment.
    Topics Arta2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • opening
    • climactic
    • final
    verb + scene
    • act
    • play
    • rehearse
    scene + verb
    • feature somebody
    • depict something
    • show something
    scene + noun
    • change
    preposition
    • in a/​the scene
    • scene between
    phrases
    • behind the scenes
    • a change of scene
    See full entry
  6. [countable] one of the small sections that a play or an opera is divided into
    • Act I, Scene 2 of ‘Macbeth’
    Topics Film and theatrea2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • opening
    • climactic
    • final
    verb + scene
    • act
    • play
    • rehearse
    scene + verb
    • feature somebody
    • depict something
    • show something
    scene + noun
    • change
    preposition
    • in a/​the scene
    • scene between
    phrases
    • behind the scenes
    • a change of scene
    See full entry
  7. area of activity

  8. the scene, the… scene
    [singular] (informal) a particular area of activity or way of life and the people who are part of it
    • the art/club/punk scene
    • on the… scene a newcomer on the music scene
    • British players were finding it increasingly difficult to compete on the international scene.
    • Tarantino burst onto the cinema scene in the ’90s.
    • After years at the top, she just vanished from the scene.
    Extra Examples
    • He is heavily involved in the local art scene.
    • Many of the stars of the noughties have completely vanished from the music scene.
    • the eruption of Cuban music onto the world scene
    • A newcomer has appeared on the fashion scene.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • burgeoning
    • flourishing
    • lively
    verb + scene
    • be involved in
    • be part of
    • appear on
    preposition
    • on the scene
    • onto the scene
    phrases
    • a newcomer to the scene
    • not your scene
    See full entry
  9. view

  10. [countable] a view that you see
    • a delightful rural scene
    • They went abroad for a change of scene (= to see and experience new surroundings).
    • We stood and surveyed the scene.
    • I stared out of the window of the train on the ever-changing scene.
    Synonyms viewviewsight 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 Dictionaryadjective
    • beautiful
    • charming
    • idyllic
    verb + scene
    • stare at
    • survey
    • watch
    scene + verb
    • occur
    • unfold
    • be reminiscent of something
    preposition
    • amid scenes of
    • in a/​the scene
    • scene from
    phrases
    • a change of scene
    See full entry
  11. painting/photograph

  12. [countable] a painting, drawing, or photograph of a place and the things that are happening there
    • an exhibition of Parisian street scenes
    • He painted scenes of country life.
    Topics Artb1
  13. argument

  14. [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.’
    Extra Examples
    • She had some terrible scenes with her parents.
    • There have been a couple of ugly scenes between him and the manager.
    Topics Opinion and argumentc2, Feelingsc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • little
    • angry
    verb + scene
    • cause
    • create
    • make
    preposition
    • scene between
    See full entry
  15. Word Originmid 16th cent. (denoting a subdivision of a play, or (a piece of) stage scenery): from Latin scena, from Greek skēnē ‘tent, stage’.
Idioms
behind the scenes
  1. in 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.
  2. in 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
not somebody’s scene
  1. (informal) not the type of thing that somebody likes or enjoys doing
    • Hillwalking is not my scene, so I stayed at home.
set the scene (for something)
  1. to create a situation in which something can easily happen or develop
    • His arrival set the scene for another argument.
  2. to 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.
    • The scene is set in the first paragraph with an account of Sally's childhood.
See scene in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee scene in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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