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 of scenario

• script
• screenplay

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

But this double lonely-hearts scenario is too sodden and limiting. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

The preparations include drafted legal briefs and plans for litigation covering nearly every conceivable scenario. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

From whimsical lofts in Tokyo fit for solo travelers to Cornwall, England, mansions that double as wedding venues, there’s a recognizable rental below for every kind of travel scenario. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

That scenario has grown more likely since then, and the storm is now forecast to move west out to sea. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026

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