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

The most likely scenario is that Bichette will eventually find his way back to the Blue Jays, which seems like the best fit for all parties after an emotional postseason run. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

As the city was planning a drought pipeline in 2015, officials estimated a 5% chance that the Colorado River would go under official shortages in Arizona, and yet that exact scenario came true less than a decade later. —Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025

But that scenario could change if court challenges prevail, among other factors. —NPR, 6 Nov. 2025

The law school professor likened this potential scenario to a parent paying for their 17-year-old boy causing damage by egging a house on Halloween night. —Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025

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