Words / B2

s-uh-NAHR-ee-oh/səˈnɑːriəʊ/

A scenario is a possible situation or a description of how events might develop: in this scenario, or a worst-case / best-case scenario. Situation is what is happening now; scenario is often hypothetical or planned, and in film it can mean the outline of the plot. It is common in business, climate, and risk language — do not use it for every ordinary situation.

Meaning

A possible situation or how events might develop.

Examples

• “In the worst-case scenario, the flight is cancelled.”
• “In one scenario, demand doubles within a year.”
• “We practised what to do in an emergency scenario.”

Good to know

worst-case scenario. A possible or hypothetical situation, not always the present one.

Near in meaning

situation

New