4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The scene of an event is the place where it happened. □ [+ of ] The area has been the scene of fierce fighting for three months. □ Fire and police crews rushed to the scene, but the couple were already dead.
5 N‑SING You can refer to an area of activity as a particular type of scene . □ Sandman is a cult figure on the local music scene.
6 N‑COUNT Paintings and drawings of places are sometimes called scenes . □ …James Lynch's country scenes.
7 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you make a scene , you embarrass people by publicly showing your anger about something. □ I'm sorry I made such a scene.
8 PHRASE If something is done behind the scenes , it is done secretly rather than publicly. □ Behind the scenes he will be working quietly to try to get a deal done.
9 PHRASE If you refer to what happens behind the scenes , you are referring to what happens during the making of a film, play, or radio or television programme. □ It's an exciting opportunity to learn what goes on behind the scenes.
10 PHRASE If you have a change of scene , you go somewhere different after being in a particular place for a long time. □ What you need is a change of scene. Why not go on a cruise?
11 PHRASE If you set the scene for someone, you tell them what they need to know in order to understand what is going to happen or be said next. □ But first to set the scene: I was having a drink with my ex-boyfriend.
12 PHRASE Something that sets the scene for a particular event creates the conditions in which the event is likely to happen. □ Gillespie's goal set the scene for an exciting second half.
13 PHRASE When a person or thing appears on the scene , they come into being or become involved in something. When they disappear from the scene , they are no longer there or are no longer involved. □ He could react rather jealously if another child comes on the scene. COLLOCATIONS scene NOUN
1
noun + scene : action, fight, love, sex; crowd, street
adjective + scene : dramatic, explicit, funny, graphic
verb + scene : film, rehearse, shoot; delete
3
adjective + scene : chaotic, horrific, ugly; angry, emotional, violent
verb + scene : depict, describe
5
noun + scene : art, dance, music, party
adjective + scene : international, literary, political, social
verb + scene : dominate
scen|ery /siː nəri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The scenery in a country area is the land, water, or plants that you can see around you. □ Sometimes they just drive slowly down the lane enjoying the scenery.
2 N‑UNCOUNT In a theatre, the scenery consists of the structures and painted backgrounds that show where the action in the play takes place.
3 PHRASE If you have a change of scenery , you go somewhere different after being in a particular place for a long time. □ A change of scenery might do you the power of good.
sce|nic /siː n I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A scenic place has attractive scenery. □ This is an extremely scenic part of America.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A scenic route goes through attractive scenery and has nice views. □ It was even marked on the map as a scenic route.
scent /se nt/ (scents , scenting , scented )
1 N‑COUNT The scent of something is the pleasant smell that it has. □ Flowers are chosen for their scent as well as their look.
2 VERB If something scents a place or thing, it makes it smell pleasant. □ [V n] Jasmine flowers scent the air. □ [V n + with ] Scent your drawers and wardrobe with your favourite aromas.
3 N‑VAR Scent is a liquid which women put on their necks and wrists to make themselves smell nice. [BRIT ] □ She dabbed herself with scent. in AM, use perfume 4 N‑VAR The scent of a person or animal is the smell that they leave and that other people sometimes follow when looking for them. □ A police dog picked up the murderer's scent.
5 VERB [no cont] When an animal scents something, it becomes aware of it by smelling it. □ [V n] …dogs which scent the hidden birds.
scent|ed /se nt I d/ ADJ Scented things have a pleasant smell, either naturally or because perfume has been added to them. □ The white flowers are pleasantly scented. □ …scented body lotion.
scep|ter /se ptə r / (scepters ) → see sceptre
scep|tic /ske pt I k/ (sceptics ) in AM, use skeptic N‑COUNT A sceptic is a person who has doubts about things that other people believe. □ But he now has to convince sceptics that he has a serious plan.
scep|ti|cal /ske pt I k ə l/ in AM, use skeptical ADJ If you are sceptical about something, you have doubts about it. □ [+ about ] Other archaeologists are sceptical about his findings. ● scep|ti|cal|ly /ske pt I kli/ ADV [ADV after v] □ I looked at him skeptically, sure he was exaggerating.
scep|ti|cism /ske pt I s I zəm/ in AM, use skepticism N‑UNCOUNT Scepticism is great doubt about whether something is true or useful. □ There is considerable scepticism about climate change.
scep|tre /se ptə r / (sceptres ) in AM, use scepter N‑COUNT A sceptre is an ornamental rod that a king or queen carries on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of his or her power.