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

The city’s digital twin allows officials to simulate scenarios—like power outages or extreme weather—and optimize responses before issues arise. —Alexander Clausbruch, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Sales in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region rose 8.3 percent to 79.2 million euros, while in the Americas, revenues decreased 3.7 percent to 50.1 million euros, impacted by the uncertain scenario. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 9 May 2025

Both Cutler and Shirk agreed one of the worst-case scenarios would mirror the 2021 talks Biden administration officials held with Chinese officials in Alaska. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

In the highest greenhouse gas emissions scenario, Caltrans said, average maximum temperatures over seven days could go up 14 degrees in inland areas of the state. —Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 9 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