behind the scenes

1 of 2

phrase

1
: out of public view
also : in secret
2
: in a position to see the hidden workings
… taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the actual government … has operated …William Clark

behind-the-scenes

2 of 2

adjective

be·​hind-the-scenes bi-ˈhīnd-ṯẖə-ˈsēnz How to pronounce behind-the-scenes (audio)
bē-
1
: being or working out of public view or in secret
behind-the-scenes lobbying for more money
a behind-the-scenes player
2
: revealing or reporting the hidden workings
a behind-the-scenes account
a behind-the-scenes glimpse

Synonyms of behind the scenes

Examples of behind the scenes in a Sentence

Adjective a tell-all book about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that got him the vice presidential nomination behind-the-scenes negotiations that resulted in the hostages being released unharmed
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.
Adjective
Additionally, Charlie shot an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of Millie for Enola Holmes 2. Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025 Also starring Jack Palance and Fritz Lang, the behind-the-scenes drama about the making of a movie begins with Bardot lying nude on a bed as her husband (Michel Piccoli) caresses and praises her body. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Dec. 2025 In 2017, the filmmaker posted a behind-the-scenes shot of Cavill in the costume sitting in a makeup chair on set. Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025 Instead, OpenAI describes a series of behind-the-scenes improvements that supposedly make ChatGPT faster, smarter and more capable. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of behind the scenes was in 1850

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Behind the scenes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20scenes. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!