scenario

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

noun

, plural sce·nar·i·os.

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

scenario

/ 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

Derived Forms

• scenarist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scenario¹

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” ( scene ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of scenario¹

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

Example Sentences

The experiments included an analysis of replies to Discord group chat users, dating scenarios, and Tinder dating app users' conversation histories spanning 37 countries.

From Science Daily

“I think you get into a recess scenario where they grind the Senate to a halt and are refusing to allow regular order move forward and confirm folks,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told HuffPost.

From Salon

We got the answer with Wednesday’s announcement of his intent to nominate Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general: worse even than the worst-case scenario we had imagined.

From Los Angeles Times

The air traffic control system had previously processed more than 15 million flight plans without the scenario being seen.

From BBC

They found in their report, which was funded by the DWP and released this week, that having Pure Water L.A. online would significantly increase the resiliency of the city’s drinking water supply in all scenarios.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• plot
• scheme