schematic

American  

[skee-mat-ik, ski-] / skiˈmæt ɪk, skɪ- /

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of a schema, diagram, or scheme; diagrammatic.

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noun

1. a diagram, plan, or drawing.

   Read the schematic before attempting any repairs.

schematic British  

/ skɪˈmætɪk, skiː- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the nature of a diagram, plan, or schema

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noun

1. a schematic diagram, esp of an electrical circuit

Other Word Forms

• nonschematic
  adjective
• unschematic
  adjective
• nonschematically
  adverb
• schematically
  adverb
• unschematically
  adverb

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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

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

schematic

Yet even Bergman’s most schematic films—the ones in which ideas seem to drive him as much as mood, style or plot—make expressive use of cinema’s aesthetic vocabulary: light, composition, sometimes color, always sound or music.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

But even if Hegel’s interpretation would have seemed off the mark to him, Antigone and Creon are too complex to reduce to a schematic argument.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

All of these are served in ample proportions in this richly funny if schematic comedy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 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

He sensed its inner workings and, if the statue of Hygeia operated on a similar schematic, Leo might have a chance .

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

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Related Words

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