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

In such a scenario, an injured astronaut can’t simply return to Earth for help. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025

There’s a real scenario in which losing this game puts Chicago in jeopardy of not only losing the division, but also missing the playoffs entirely. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025

His forthcoming book outlines a series of extreme hypotheticals, including succession scenarios triggered by national emergencies. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Dec. 2025

Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins described the scenario as an incredibly dangerous situation. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 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