scenario

noun

sce·​nar·​io sə-ˈner-ē-ˌō How to pronounce scenario (audio)
 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
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

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 This scenario could be improved from a necessary cost to a driver of innovation and competitive advantage. Paul J. Noble, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 In other words, on a negative reaction, the best-case scenario would be having the stock respect the most recent low near $159. Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024 Taipei, Taiwan Reuters — A real Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be an act of war and have far-reaching consequences for international trade, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday after last week’s drills by China that practiced such a scenario. Reuters, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024 Our four scenarios: Republican sweep: Trump, with a Republican House and Senate, would institutionalize the MAGA movement, with massive consequences for governance, civil rights and international relations. Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scenario 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scenario.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of scenario was in 1768

Dictionary Entries Near scenario

Cite this Entry

“Scenario.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scenario. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scenario

noun
sce·​nar·​io sə-ˈnar-ē-ˌō How to pronounce scenario (audio)
-ˈner-,
-ˈnär-
plural scenarios
1
a
: an outline of a play
b
: the text of an opera
2
3
: a sequence of events especially when imagined

More from Merriam-Webster on scenario

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!