scene

Universal Words noun place 1 [C,usually sing.] ~ (of sth) the place where sth happens, especially sth unpleasant: the scene of the accident / attack / crime * Firefighters were on the scene immediately. * Italy was the scene of many demonstrations at that time. event 2 [C] ~ (of sth) an event or a situation that you see, especially one of a particular type: a scene of panic / terror / violence * 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 scene * A newcomer has appeared on the fashion scene. * British players were finding it increasingly difficult to compete on the international 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). 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 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 sb's scene (informal) not the type of thing that sb likes or enjoys doing set the scene (for sth) 1 to create a situation in which sth can easily happen or develop: His arrival set the scene for another argument. 2 to give sb the information and details they need in order to understand what comes next: The first part of the programme was just setting the scene.