behind-the-scenes

adjective

be·​hind-the-scenes bi-ˈhīnd-ṯẖə-ˈsēnz 

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

• confidential
• esoteric
• hush-hush
• hushed
• inside
• intimate
• nonpublic
• private
• privy
• secret

Examples of behind-the-scenes in a Sentence

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

The cardinals, who have been getting to know one another in Rome following the days of Pope Francis' funeral, are not engaging in any kind of behind-the-scenes debates about issues of the church, Czerny said. —Kate Hodgson, ABC News, 4 May 2025

Follow us now for solving tips, behind-the-scenes content from our editors and more. —New York Times Games, New York Times, 3 May 2025

Her social media offers no insight into her love life; instead, her Instagram showcases her family (particularly her older brother Chad), her pets and behind-the-scenes peeks at her role in Broadway’s Bad Cinderella. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 3 May 2025

The sweet interaction comes after much ado has been made about rumors of a splintered cast, prompting mass fan speculation largely after Isaacs himself hinted to behind-the-scenes tension amid the grueling filming process, which took part for the better part of a year on-location in Thailand. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for behind-the-scenes

• catecholamines
• phenothiazines
• alkenes
• amines
• benzenes
• canteens
• convenes
• cosines
• cuisines
• eumenes
• hellenes
• latrines