scheme

American  

[skeem] / skim /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to devise a system for

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

scheme Idioms  

1. see best-laid plans (schemes).

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Related Words

See plan. See plot.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of scheme

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

Explanation

A scheme is an elaborate plan or plot. It's going to take a really solid scheme, probably involving teleportation or some sort of temporary cloning, to make an appearance at both parties at once. Scheme comes to us from the Latin word for "figure." And it's still used today to refer to a set of drawings and figures used to map out something. Or maybe you’ve heard people talk about something in the scheme of life." In that case they're talking about something that fits into the bigger picture. But don't forget that schemes often carry a negative connotation — the word brings to mind devious plans and secret plots organized by scheming bad guys.

Example Sentences

In the end, four of the nonprofit’s top leaders, including Bannon, were arrested on fraud and other charges connected to the fundraising scheme.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

By the following year, the first full year the scheme was operational, that had jumped to more than 33 million.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Dos Santos dismissed the idea that the problem is solely related to the tactical scheme and insisted that the most important change involves reclaiming aggressive principles with and without the ball.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

BEIJING—At an imposing 18 feet long, the Maextro S800 sedan gives off Rolls-Royce vibes with its two-tone color scheme and abundant soft leather.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

Why hadn’t he thought of this simple scheme before?

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

Related Words

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