scenario

noun

sce·​nar·​io sə-ˈner-ē-ˌō 

 US also and especially British  -ˈnär-

plural scenarios

1

a

: an outline or synopsis of a play

especially : a plot outline used by actors of the commedia dell'arte

b

: the libretto of an opera

2

a

: screenplay

b

: shooting script

3

: a sequence of events especially when imagined

especially : an account or synopsis of a possible course of action or events

his scenario for a settlement envisages … reunification

—Selig Harrison

Synonyms

• screenplay
• script

Examples of scenario in a Sentence

A possible scenario would be that we move to the city.

The most likely scenario is that he goes back to school in the fall.

The best-case scenario would be for us to finish the work by tomorrow.

In the worst-case scenario, we would have to start the project all over again.

Recent Examples on the Web

Developing contingencies based on historical data and future trends, and creating detailed scenario plans with viable alternate sourcing and routing strategies to train with, will help mitigate risks and maintain operations during disruptions. —Bill Geary, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

To verify these findings, the team next conducted three online surveys in which participants—who identified explicitly as Democrat or Republican—were first placed in either a highly politically polarized or a low-polarization scenario. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

While there is no guarantee Arenado will be traded, Mozeliak’s comments suggest the probability of that scenario growing. —Katie Woo, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024

First, Andrews leans on the scientific research to describe the doomsday scenario that would result from an asteroid strike. —Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin scaenarium place for erecting stages, from scaena stage

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

scenario

noun

sce·​nar·​io sə-ˈnar-ē-ˌō 

-ˈner-,

-ˈnär-

plural scenarios

1

a

: an outline of a play

b

: the text of an opera

2

: screenplay

3

: a sequence of events especially when imagined