scenario

American  

[si-nair-ee-oh, -nahr-] / sɪˈnɛər iˌoʊ, -ˈnɑr- /

noun

plural

scenarios

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

   Synonyms:

   sketch, concept, plan, scheme

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scenario British  

/ sɪˈnɑːrɪˌəʊ, sɪˈnɑː-, ˈsiːnərɪst /

noun

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

2. a predicted sequence of events

   let's try another scenario, involving the demise of democracy

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Other Word Forms

• scenarist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of scenario

First recorded in 1875–80; from Italian, from Latin scaenārium, scēnārium, noun use of scaenārius, scēnārius “belonging to the stage, theatrical,” from scaen(a), scēn(a) “background, stage, theater” ( see scene) + -ārius -ary

Explanation

A scenario is a specific possibility. To plan on playing with a bunch of bear cubs is a scenario — a dumb one, but still a scenario. When people are wondering what to do, they think of different scenarios. Moving to a big city is one scenario — moving to a tiny town is another. A football team has to plan for many scenarios, like the starting quarterback being injured. The government plans for hundreds of scenarios, such as natural disasters and attacks by terrorists. In literature, a scenario can mean a summing up of what's going on — what the situation is. A scenario is pretty similar to a situation, but a scenario hasn't happened yet and might not happen at all.

Example Sentences

Scenario discussion at the press conference: Minutes are published with a delay, so they can be perceived as stale.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

The administration’s outline of the fiscal 2027 budget also brings back an old friend from the 1980s, Rosie Scenario.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The Stated Policies Scenario, or STEPS, instead considers the application of a broader range of policies, including those formally proposed but not yet adopted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

"We represent that real hip-hop culture," he boasted, after a run of hits that included Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See, Scenario and Woo Hah!!

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

Having one of those at school would be a Very Worst Nightmare Scenario.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Related Words

• plot
• scheme