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

Derived Forms

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

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.

Example Sentences

If films about catastrophe often take a schematic, meet-the-victims approach to their opening scenes, Ms. Littman renders hers with persuasive vibrancy, too full of life to have room for heavy-handed portent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 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

The mournful irony underlying the somewhat schematic plot is that they never can quite find themselves in sync, despite the bonds between them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Setting down the xenomorphs on Earth is a stunning, scary idea that Hawley builds from a schematic illustrated with tension, tragedy, fascination, and grim familiarity with our species’ greatest flaws: hubris and greed.

From Salon • Aug. 5, 2025

In under a minute, he has built an oscillator to match the schematic.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Related Words

• simplified