What does "scenic" mean?

1. (beautiful views) having beautiful natural views that are pleasant to look at. 2. (theatre scenery) relating to the painted backgrounds or decorations used on a theatre stage. 3. (a scenic artist) a person who designs or paints the backgrounds for a play or film.

How do you use "scenic"?

Often used in the phrase 'the scenic route' to mean a longer but more beautiful path. Usually precedes the noun it modifies, such as 'scenic design' or 'scenic artist'.

scenic

adj. · n.

US //ˈsinɪk// UK //sˈiːnɪk// scenic

1 beautiful views (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

having beautiful natural views that are pleasant to look at.

characterised by beautiful or impressive natural scenery; picturesque.

Example

We took the scenic route through the mountains instead of the fast highway.

Example

The train journey offers a scenic transition from the industrial outskirts to the lush, rolling hills of the countryside.

Usage

Often used in the phrase 'the scenic route' to mean a longer but more beautiful path.
- ugly
- unattractive
2 theatre scenery (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Theatre

relating to the painted backgrounds or decorations used on a theatre stage.

pertaining to the stage scenery or visual representation of a setting in a theatrical production.

Example

The play was famous for its amazing scenic effects and lighting.

Example

The production's scenic design was praised for its minimalist approach, using only light and shadow to suggest a vast forest.

Usage

Usually precedes the noun it modifies, such as 'scenic design' or 'scenic artist'.
- theatrical
- staged

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3 a scenic artist (n.)
C2 Proficiency Informal Technical Theatre

a person who designs or paints the backgrounds for a play or film.

an individual employed to design or paint scenery for theatrical or cinematic productions.

Example

He worked as a scenic on several big Hollywood movies.

Example

After years of working as a scenic in regional theatre, she was finally hired for a major Broadway production.
- set designer
- painter

Origin

From Middle French scénique, from Latin scēnicus, alternative form of scaenicus (“of or pertaining to the stage; theatrical, scenic”), from Ancient Greek σκηνικός (skēnikós, “theatrical”), from σκηνή (skēnḗ, “stage”).