scenario

[ si-nair-ee-oh, -nahr- ]

/ sɪˈnɛər iˌoʊ, -ˈnɑr- /

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See synonyms for: scenario / scenarios on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural sce·nar·i·os.

an outline of the plot of a dramatic work, giving particulars as to the scenes, characters, situations, etc.

the outline or the manuscript of a motion picture or television program, giving the action in the order in which it takes place, the description of scenes and characters, etc.

an imagined or projected sequence of events, especially any of several detailed plans or possibilities: One scenario calls for doubling profits by increasing our advertising, the other by reducing costs.

OTHER WORDS FOR scenario

3 scheme, plan, concept, sketch.

See synonyms for scenario on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of scenario

1875–80; <Italian <Latin scēnārium.See scene, -ary

Words nearby scenario

Sc.D.Hyg., Sc.D.Med., SCE, sceat, scena, scenario, scenarist, scend, scene, scene dock, scene master

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scenario in a sentence

In all scenarios, oil demand peaks within the next decade, although the first two scenarios suggest the peak has already come.
There’s growing consensus that oil demand won’t make a comeback|eamonbarrett|September 17, 2020|Fortune
The doomsday scenario is that … 90 percent of the traffic that you’re now generating through an app on an iOS device is not trackable.
Deep Dive: How the Summer of 2020 forced brand marketing to change for the better|jim cooper|September 14, 2020|Digiday
To that end, we asked about a range of incentives and scenarios that might cause people to opt-in.
Apple IDFA consent: Roughly 60% of consumers open to allowing tracking|Greg Sterling|September 11, 2020|Search Engine Land
Best- and worst-case scenarios refer to the panel’s 90th and 10th percentile forecasts, respectively.
Economists’ Best- And Worst-Case Scenarios For The Recovery Haven’t Changed Very Much|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 10, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Because, again, there are no perfect scenarios and there are also no perfect models of how to prevent outbreaks.
Why Can’t Schools Get What the N.F.L. Has? (Ep. 431)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 10, 2020|Freakonomics
The scenario in which you are proposed to in public is very different to the one done in private.
Public Marriage Proposals Must Die|Tauriq Moosa|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Making this scenario more complicated is the rivalry between al Qaeda and ISIS.
A Gift to the Jihadis: The Unseen Airport Security Threat|Clive Irving|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He declared himself “satisfied with that scenario” noting that his campaign had a “better GOTV operation.”
Last Hurrah for Iconic Louisiana Politician|Ben Jacobs|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a best-case scenario they cover the mechanics of reproduction, STD awareness, and contraceptive use.
The Next Frontier of Sex Ed: How Porn Twists Teens’ Brains|Aurora Snow|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even in a less-bad scenario, women might be objectified or used.
Have Sperm, Will Travel: The ‘Natural Inseminators’ Helping Women Avoid the Sperm Bank|Elizabeth Picciuto|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
(Thoughtfully to himself) I wonder how a rough scenario would strike the managers.
First Plays|A. A. Milne
He would not say anything very definite about it—he just didn't like the story—it had not come up to the promise of the scenario.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
He wrote out a "scenario" of his projected novel, and sent this to his publisher, to see if he could get a contract in advance.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
He made out a "scenario" of the rest of his new book, and sent it with the part he had already done to his friend Mr. Ardsley.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
Ruth discovered that she could write a good scenario—a very good scenario, indeed.
Ruth Fielding At College|Alice B. Emerson

British Dictionary definitions for scenario

scenario

/ (sɪˈnɑːrɪˌəʊ) /

noun plural -narios

a summary of the plot of a play, etc, including information about its characters, scenes, etc

a predicted sequence of eventslet's try another scenario, involving the demise of democracy

Derived forms of scenario

scenarist (ˈsiːnərɪst, sɪˈnɑː-), noun

Word Origin for scenario

C19: via Italian from Latin scēnārium, from scēna; see scene

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scenario

OTHER WORDS FOR scenario

Origin of scenario

Words nearby scenario

Words related to scenario

How to use scenario in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scenario

Derived forms of scenario

Word Origin for scenario