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

There is no scenario in which the naturalization of the creatures manufactured in the dire wolf project would be anything other than a Jurassic Park-sized mistake. —Douglas McCauley, Time, 27 Apr. 2025

Charlotte came out firing in what could have been a classic trap game scenario. —Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025

One of those two scenarios would create a significant advantage over a worn down Denver or LA squad. —Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Djokovic could end up there regardless of his seeding in that scenario. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 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