schematic
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of schematic
First recorded in 1695–1705; from New Latin schēmaticus, from Greek schēmatikós, from schēmat-, stem of schêma “form, figure” ( see scheme) + -ikos -ic
Explanation
Use the adjective schematic to describe a drawing that's very simple and symbolic. That drawing your cousin made of a house with a pointy roof, smiling stick figures, and a round yellow sun? Very schematic. The word schematic can apply to ideas as well as drawings. In this case, schematic describes an overly simple interpretation of something complex, like a work of literature or a detailed plan for social change. Think of it like the drawing of a boxy house and stick figures, only applied to ideas — it's an outline of something that may not capture all the important details.
Vocabulary lists containing schematic
Dragonwings
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Fast Pitch
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This Week In Culture: January 18–24, 2020
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All of these are served in ample proportions in this richly funny if schematic comedy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026
At 90 minutes, the film feels rushed, touching down at different points along a timeline without ever really settling in, lending it a schematic quality despite its unerring sensitivity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026
In place of the existing seasonal pool, schematic drawings now show a new year-round competition pool, 50 meters long, 25 yards wide and from 3-foot, 6-inches to 12-foot, 9-inches deep.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2026
Rams coach Sean McVay and San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan know each other — and each other’s schematic and play-calling tendencies — better than perhaps any two coaches in the NFL.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2025
Because of the A schematic illustration of the double helix.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
