cutscene

noun

cut·​scene ˈkət-ˌsēn How to pronounce cutscene (audio)
variants or less commonly cut-scene or cut scene
plural cutscenes also cut-scenes or cut scenes
: a noninteractive video sequence that occurs between segments of a video game and depicts part of the game's background or storyline
Extra bits of story are delivered every two or three levels, each cutscene lasting just a few seconds and providing a further, fleeting glance at the bizarre roster of characters.Joe Martin
Excellent cinematic cutscenes are dotted throughout the game, with rebel communications and face-to-face talks giving you hints on your progress.Matthew Horan
Ninja Gaiden is also notable for being one of the first action games to have cutscenes between levels.Chris Reed
You won't encounter an explicitly relayed narrative—there are no cut-scenes or dialog text; instead, the story is uncovered through the game's lo-fi and maquette-like environments, each filled with sad, funny, and poignant details.Lewis Gordon

Examples of cutscene in a Sentence

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.
Which each subsequent entry in the modern trilogy, the story and cutscenes begin to take up more space. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025 Blue Prince lacks jump scares or creepy noises or a spooky presence tracing your steps, but a handful of cutscenes that occur in some rooms conjure a sense of dread. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025 Users in franchise mode don’t mind watching a cutscene or looking at highlights from other games. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Adjusts the blur effect in some cutscene animations and character ability animations. Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cutscene

Word History

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutscene was in 1992

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Cite this Entry

“Cutscene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutscene. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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