scene

plural scenes · alternative archaic scæne

1. countableuncountableThe location of an event that attracts attention.

   the scene of the crime

   1 more example

   Lily was pronounced dead at the scene.

2. archaiccountableuncountableentertainmentThe stage.

   They stood in the centre of the scene.

3. countableuncountableentertainmentThe decorations; furnishings, and backgrounds of a stage, representing the place in which the action of a play is set.

   to paint scenes

   2 more examples

   to change the scenes

   behind the scenes

4. countableuncountablebroadcastingA part of a dramatic work that is set in the same place or time. In the theatre, generally a number of scenes constitute an act.

   The play is divided into three acts, and in total twenty-five scenes.

   3 more examples

   The most moving scene is the final one, where he realizes he has wasted his whole life.

   There were some very erotic scenes in the movie, although it was not classified as pornography.

   Miss Phyllis Morgan, as the hapless heroine dressed in the shabbiest of clothes, appears in the midst of a gay and giddy throng; she apostrophises all and sundry there, including the villain, and has a magnificent scene which always brings down the house, and nightly adds to her histrionic laurels.

   1904–1905, Baroness Orczy [i.e., Emma Orczy], “The Affair at the Novelty Theatre”, in The Case of Miss Elliott, London: T[homas] Fisher Unwin, published 1905, →OCLC; republished as popular edition, London: Greening & Co., 1909, OCLC 11192831, quoted in The Case of Miss Elliott (ebook no. 2000141h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg of Australia, February 2020

5. countableuncountableThe location, time, circumstances, etc., in which something occurs, or in which the action of a story, play, or the like, is set up.

   In Troy, there lies the scene.

   c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene prologue]

   1 more example

   The world is a vast scene of strife.

   c. 1810, John M. Mason, On Religious Controversy

6. countableuncountableA combination of objects or events in view or happening at a given moment at a particular place.

   They saw an angry scene outside the pub.

   2 more examples

   He assessed the scene to check for any danger, and agreed it was safe.

   Through what new scenes and changes must we pass!

   1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act V, scene i, page 56

7. countableuncountableA landscape, or part of a landscape; scenery.

   A sylvan scene with various greens was drawn, / Shades on the sides, and in the midst a lawn.

   1697, Virgil, “Palamon and Arcite”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   He turned back to the scene before him and the enormous new block of council dwellings. The design was some way after Corbusier but the block was built up on plinths and resembled an Atlantic liner swimming diagonally across the site.

   1963, Margery Allingham, “Foreword”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

8. countableuncountableAn exhibition of passionate or strong feeling before others, creating embarrassment or disruption; often, an artificial or affected action, or course of action, done for effect; a theatrical display.

   The crazy lady made a scene in the grocery store.

   3 more examples

   The headmistress told the students not to cause a scene.

   Probably no lover of scenes would have had very long to wait or some explosions between parties, both equally ready to take offence, and careless of giving it.

   1832, Thomas De Quincey, Kolsterheim

   I'm having wicked dreams of leaving Tennessee Hear Santa Monica, I swear it's calling me Won't make my mama proud, it's gonna cause a scene She sees her baby girl, I know she's gonna scream

   2020 April 3, Chappell Roan, Dan Nigro, “Pink Pony Club”performed by Chappell Roan

9. countableuncountableAn element of fiction writing.
10. countableuncountableA social environment consisting of an informal, vague group of people with a uniting interest; their sphere of activity; a subculture.

    Indie just isn't my scene.

    2 more examples

    She got into the emo scene at an early age.

    The Bay Area’s boba scene is crowded — and increasingly upscale.

    2026 August 15, Irene Adeline Milanez, “We tasted boba from some of the Bay Area’s most popular chains. Here’s our No. 1”, in San Francisco Chronicle, archived from the original on 16 Aug 2026

11. broadlyuncountableA youth subculture popular in the Anglosphere in the 2000s and early 2010s.
    1. broadlycountableuncountableaestheticAn aesthetic characterized by vibrant, often neon colors, heavily teased and brightly dyed hair with long bangs, skinny jeans, band tees, and layered accessories like studded belts and plastic jewelry; heavily influenced by MySpace culture, emo, pop-punk, and electronic music, with a strong emphasis on digital self-expression and a playful, rebellious energy.
12. countableuncountableBDSMA fantasy that is acted out.

present singular third person scenes · participle present scening · participle past scened · past scened · alternative archaic scæne

1. transitiveTo exhibit as a scene; to make a scene of; to display.
2. intransitiveBDSMTo roleplay.
3. abbreviationintransitivecomputingShort for demoscene.

alternative archaic scæne

1. broadcastingA notice to actors that their performance has ended.

   Near-synonym: cut!

   Synonyms: end scene!, and scene!, cut