mise-en-scène

noun

ˌmē-ˌzäⁿ-ˈsen

-ˈsān

plural mise-en-scènes ˌmē-ˌzäⁿ-ˈsen(z)

-ˈsān(z)

Synonyms of mise-en-scène next

: the arrangement of actors and scenery on a stage for a theatrical production

: stage setting

: the physical setting of an action (as of a narrative or a movie) : context

this ordinary house that became the mise-en-scène of an extraordinary drama—

E. M. Lustgarten

: environment, milieu

enjoyed the mise-en-scène of suburban Miami

Did you know?

In French, mise en scène literally means “the action of putting onto the stage.” The term originated in stage drama, where it refers to the way actors and scenery props are arranged; as its usage expanded into other narrative arts, its meaning shifted. In film production, mise-en-scène refers to all of the elements that comprise a single shot; that includes, but is not limited to, the actors, setting, props, costumes, and lighting. (The director of a play or film is sometimes called the metteur en scène—literally, “one who puts on the stage.”) In general use, mise-en-scène can refer simply to one’s environment or milieu, as in “we spent our vacation enjoying the mise-en-scène of the Tuscan countryside.”

Choose the Right Synonym for mise-en-scène

background, setting, environment, milieu, mise-en-scène mean the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs.

background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

Examples of mise-en-scène in a Sentence

an era in which the mise-en-scène of Broadway musicals became ever more spectacular the movie captures the mise-en-scène of strife and desperation in a country torn apart by civil war

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The back and forth feels distracting rather than revealing at times, a showy move that feels out of step with the overall mise-en-scene. —

Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2024 Andersson’s mise-en-scene owes some obvious debts to the likes of Tati and Fellini, but his tragicomic deadpan remains entirely his own. —

Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024 The full mise-en-scene of Biles, Lee, Chiles, Carey, and Rivera wearing their final look beneath a cascade of red, white, and blue confetti communicated a distinct narrative from Minneapolis’ central arena where the games were held. —

Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 2 July 2024 And last night, between 50th and 49th Street, a festive spectacle took place as Saks Fifth Avenue and Dior unveiled their mesmerizing mise-en-scene window display, Dior’s Carousel of Dreams at Saks. —

Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023 But the mise-en-scene suffers inexplicably and lacks resonance with our more recent era. —

Bonnie Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023 Here, an amusing if chaotic mise-en-scene is what’s at center stage. —

Peter Marks, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2023 Chairs and a turntable are in fact all the mise-en-scene Lloyd provides. —

Peter Marks, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French mise en scène

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of mise-en-scène was in 1833

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mise-en-scène.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mise-en-sc%C3%A8ne. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 14 Nov 2024 - Updated Did you know?

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

paroxysm

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

mise-en-scène

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Examples of mise-en-scène in a Sentence

Word History

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near mise-en-scène