scheme

[skeem]

noun

1. a plan, design, or program of action to be followed; project.

2. an underhand plot; intrigue.

   Synonyms: conspiracy, cabal, stratagem

3. a visionary or impractical project.

4. a body or system of related doctrines, theories, etc..

   a scheme of philosophy.

5. any system of correlated things, parts, etc., or the manner of its arrangement.

   Synonyms: schema, pattern

6. a plan, program, or policy officially adopted and followed, as by a government or business.

   The company's pension scheme is very successful.

7. an analytical or tabular statement.

8. a diagram, map, or the like.

9. an astrological diagram of the heavens.

verb (used with object)

schemed, scheming 

1. to devise as a scheme; conspire; plot; contrive.

verb (used without object)

schemed, scheming 

1. to lay schemes; devise plans; plot.

scheme

/ skiːm /

noun

1. a systematic plan for a course of action

2. a systematic arrangement of correlated parts; system

3. a secret plot

4. a visionary or unrealizable project

5. a chart, diagram, or outline

6. an astrological diagram giving the aspects of celestial bodies at a particular time

7. a plan formally adopted by a commercial enterprise or governmental body, as for pensions, etc

8. an area of housing that is laid out esp by a local authority; estate

verb

1. (tr) to devise a system for

2. to form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner

Other Word Forms

• schemeless adjective
• schemer noun
• outscheme verb (used with object)
• subscheme noun
• underscheme noun
• unschemed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scheme¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Medieval Latin schēma (stem schēmat- ), from Greek schêma “form, figure”

Word History and Origins

Origin of scheme¹

C16: from Latin schema, from Greek skhēma form

Idioms and Phrases

see best-laid plans (schemes).

Synonym Study

See plan. See plot.

Example Sentences

After being scanned at an opticians through a free NHS scheme she was immediately referred to hospital for treatment.

Read more on BBC

The existing building is set to be demolished next year, with the new scheme scheduled to be completed in 2030.

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Once up and running, they say, a dog licence scheme would fund more dog wardens and animal welfare officers, plus pay to educate people on responsible ownership.

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She deflected questions about an alleged bribery scheme involving the president’s border advisor and declined to elaborate on her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Federal prosecutors sought a three-year prison sentence against Lira for his role in the legal fraud scheme, arguing that his lies to clients and to Judge Durkin warranted a meaningful term of imprisonment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrangement 
• blueprint 
• design 
• device 
• game plan 
• pattern 
• plan 
• program 
• project 
• proposal 
• strategy 
• system 
• theory