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scene

scene

89 2.2
An event, often emotional or shocking, that people remember
  • noun
  • /siːn/
translation icon : escena
  • Witnesses described the scene at the accident site as chaotic and distressing, with first responders rushing to help.
  • describe a scene
  • witness scenes
  • recall a scene

I'm tearing up now just thinking of such a scene when that happens.

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Examples

  • And it was like a really emotional scene outside on location.

  • It's a scene of devastation and heartbreak in California, as rescue workers sift through what remains of the northern portion of the state.

  • So do you think that that scene meant different things to different people?

  • From this scene, it seems like they were fighting all over the place.

  • The scene was a gold mine.

  • When I told my mother about that scene years later, I felt ashamed of my family.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The first time I read that scene, I was gutted.

  • I do hope that people who are survivors did watch that scene and react with empathy.

  • I bawled so hard during the final scene of this movie every single time I've seen it.

  • The charity event turned into a heartwarming scene as the community came together to support those in need.

Synonyms

event
vsscene
1.0

A planned or important thing that happens at a particular time and place

is more about emotional importance than mere time and place details
incident
vsscene
2.7

An event that is unusual or draws attention

is more about emotional significance rather than just being unusual or odd
drama
vsscene
  • Informal
488 2.5

A situation full of strong feelings and excitement

is about a particular emotionally notable occurrence rather than general emotional intensity
dramatic event
vsscene
3 3.8

An event that causes strong emotion and surprise

is less about extreme turbulence and more about memorable emotional significance
1 6.1

A dramatic, memorable event that feels like a scene from a movie

is not limited to filmlike imagery and can be any emotionally notable occurrence

Compounds

on-the-scene
  • Literature
201 4.2

At the place where something is happening or has just happened

A model with small figures showing the birth of Jesus at Christmas

7 4.1

A group of people and places involved in making and showing visual art in a place or time

Artistic and cultural life and events in a place, like galleries and shows

A group of musicians, places, and music shows in one area

scene-stealer
  • Literature
1 6.1

A person or thing that gets more attention than others in a scene

A group of musicians and artists who work outside the mainstream, often in secret

racy scene
  • Offensive
1 8.4

A part of a film or book that suggests sex

bummery scene
  • Informal
9.9

A depressing, unattractive place like a club or bar with a sad social feeling

9.9

An offensive slang name for people in the modern art world who seem fashionable and do not include others

9.9

A style of rockabilly music with sexual themes and bold images

mise en scene
  • Specialized
8.8

The way things like the background, objects, and lights are arranged in a film or play to create a mood

A place where a sports event happens, like a field or stadium

scene painter
  • Specialized
5.5

A person who makes large background pictures for plays or landscapes

A place where many live music shows happen and musicians gather

A lively place with many arts and events like music and festivals

A place where political debates and events happen often and feel lively

9.8

A city social scene of young professionals who like hip cafes and small creative shops

How Significant

event
1.0
episode
339 2.8
scene
89 2.2
incident
2.7
moment
1.0

Surface Forms

scene singular
scenes plural

Etymology

Scene comes from Greek skene 'stage', and an event you see can be called a scene because it looks like a short play or a dramatic picture. So a 'shocking scene' is an incident that feels dramatic and memorable.