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

Play the Sun In a perfect scenario, your decoys will be in the sun (so ducks can see them well) and your hide will be in the shadows. —Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024

But putting him in a scenario like this one is fun and new. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024

Women’s match Similar to the men’s match, the San Diego Smash and New York Nitro women needed a third set, which for the Smash was a win-and-your-in (to the Championship) scenario. —Aaron Heisen, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024

But a fight in the Pacific is not the only scenario the United States must be prepared for (and, ideally, deter), and readiness in other arenas will require addressing other deficiencies. —Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024

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