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

“We expect any top-up to occur with 4Q25 results after the scheme is finalised and launched,” Citi analysts said in a note to clients.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Based on our initial analysis and the characteristics of the proposed scheme, an additional provision is likely to be required which may be material,” Lloyds said Thursday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The scheme may not work for everyone but for Ms Hough, who has now relocated from Solihull to a life in the countryside, the benefits have been profound.

Read more on BBC

The scheme appeared to have been designed to mainly benefit Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who often clashes with the European Union and fellow EU leaders, according to the report.

Read more on Barron's

Mortgage-fraud prosecutions typically feature allegations of a more complex fraud scheme and losses suffered by a financial institution or other victims, legal experts said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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