Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

scenario

/sɪˈnɛəɹioʊ/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.19 in modern English

Syllables: sce-na-ri-o
IPA: /sɪˈnɛəɹioʊ/

10

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An outline or model of an expected or supposed sequence of events.

noun

An outline of the plot of a dramatic or literary work.

Dated

noun

A screenplay itself, or an outline or a treatment of it.

Dated

Example Sentences

"Hearts were keen to avoid a repeat of the scenario at this stage of last season's competition, when they found themselves two goals down inside the opening quarter of an hour."
"The researchers believe there are two possible scenarios that have placed J1249+36 on its swift path."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃-der. Ancient Greek σκηνή (skēnḗ)bor. Latin scēnabor. Italian scena Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriumbor. Italian -ario Italian scenariobor. English scenario Borrowed from Italian scenario, from scena + -ario.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /sɪˈnɛəɹioʊ/
British English: /sɪˈnɑːɹi.əʊ/

Usage

Dated

Inflected Forms

scenarios (plural) scenari (plural, rare)

Phrases

best-case scenario economic scenario generator happy day scenario worst-case scenario

Frequently Paired Words

scenaria scenarii

Rhymes With

ontario terrio nerio seminario silverio cerio

Questions

How do you pronounce scenario?: The recorded pronunciation is /sɪˈnɛəɹioʊ/.
What does scenario mean?: An outline or model of an expected or supposed sequence of events.
Where does scenario come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃-der. Ancient Greek σκηνή (skēnḗ)bor. Latin scēnabor. Italian scena Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriumbor. Italian -ario Italian scenariobor. English scenario Borrowed from Italian scenario, from scena + -ario.

How to pronounce scenario

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “scenario”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sɪˈnɛəɹioʊ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “scenario”.
Repeat and practice — Say “scenario” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.