scene
- 01 A2 Elementary
a short part of a movie, play, or book that happens in one place.
a subdivision of a dramatic work, typically representing a continuous action in a single location.
Simple“The opening scene of the movie shows a busy street in London.”
In context“The director insisted on re-shooting the final scene several times to capture the exact moment the sun dipped below the horizon.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
the place where something specific happened, like an accident or a crime.
the specific location where an event, especially a notable or illegal one, occurs.
Simple“Police arrived at the scene of the accident within minutes.”
In context“Forensic experts spent hours examining the scene for any evidence that might identify the intruder.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
a view of a place that you can see, like a beautiful park or a busy city.
a landscape or a particular view of a place as seen by a spectator.
Simple“It was a peaceful scene with sheep grazing on the green hills.”
In context“The artist captured a bustling market scene, filled with vibrant colours and the energy of the local traders.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a loud or angry argument in public that makes other people feel embarrassed.
a public display of strong emotion or an embarrassing outburst.
Simple“Please don't make a scene in the restaurant just because the food is late.”
In context“She was desperate to avoid making a scene, so she waited until they were in the car to express her frustration.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
a particular area of activity or the people involved in it.
a specific social environment or subculture defined by a shared interest.
Simple“He is very active in the local music scene and plays in three bands.”
In context“The city's tech scene has grown rapidly over the last decade, attracting investors from all over the world.”
Synonyms
From Late Middle English scene, from Middle French scene, borrowed from Latin sc(a)ena, from Ancient Greek σκηνή (skēnḗ, “scene, stage”). Doublet of scena and skene.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.