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

And both could be subject to intense behind-the-scenes battles. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Her first-ever Met Gala was another memorable moment: While in line waiting to be filmed for Vogue.com, Rosé got a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Rihanna posing for Instagram content. —Irene Kim, Vogue, 7 Dec. 2024

With national fundraising prowess and access to high-level tools and infrastructure, the DNC is best suited to provide the necessary behind-the-scenes resources local parties need. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette about the film below. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1