Scenario

Definition

A scenario refers to a written outline of a plot and individual scenes, especially in a play, movie, or television show. It can also denote a sequence of events, especially when imagined, or a hypothetical situation used for the purpose of strategic planning or decision-making.

Parts of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

American English

IPA Pronunciation: /səˈnɛərioʊ/
Respelling: suh-NAIR-ee-oh (with "suh" as a soft sound like the 'u' in "supply," "NAIR" as in "air," "ee" as in "see," and "oh" as in "go")

British English

IPA Pronunciation: /sɪˈnɑːriəʊ/
Respelling: si-NAH-ree-oh (with "si" as in "sit," "NAH" as in "spa," "ree" as in "see," and "oh" as in "go")

In both dialects, "scenario" features a clear "ree" sound in the penultimate position and ends with "oh." The major differences lie in the pronunciation of the first syllable and the vowel sound in the stressed syllable, reflecting the typical distinctions between American and British pronunciation.

Etymology

Derived from the Italian "scenario," from Late Latin "scaenarium," meaning "book of the stage," from Latin "scaena," meaning "stage." The term entered English in the 19th century, originally referring to a sketch of the plot of a dramatic work.

Derivatives

Scenarist (noun)
Scenario planning (noun)
Scenarios (plural noun)

Synonyms

Outline
Plot
Situation

Antonyms

There are no direct antonyms for "scenario" due to its specific use in context.

Usage

In literature and entertainment: "The director discussed the film's scenario with the writers."
In planning and analysis: "The team developed several scenarios for the project's future."

Related Terms

Screenplay: A script for a movie, including dialogue and directions for camera work.
Storyboard: A sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for a movie or television production.
Simulation: The act or process of simulating a real-life situation for training, analysis, or prediction.

Detailed Definition

As a Noun

A document that outlines the plot and structure of a play, movie, television show, or other narrative works: "He was praised for the compelling scenario he wrote for the new drama series."
A description of possible actions or events in the future, often used in the context of planning and strategy: "The management team considered various scenarios for dealing with the potential market downturn."
In business and technology, a detailed description of a user's interaction with a system, used for software development and testing: "Designers created scenarios to test the new app's usability."
A hypothetical sequence of events or circumstances, often used for training, exercises, or assessing preparedness: "The emergency response team conducted a drill based on a disaster scenario."
A setting or background for an event, situation, or story: "The novel sets up a dystopian scenario where water is more valuable than gold."