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

Start by re-running your cost-of-goods model with the worst-case tariff scenario. —Tom Wicky, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

The worst-case scenario for Amazon, of course, would be a situation where the telecast was glitchy. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025

In worst-case scenarios, some states could even opt out of the program altogether, according to CBPP. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 21 May 2025

Meanwhile, the eastern and central parts of the U.S. are facing a markedly different scenario. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 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