scheme

[ skeem ]

/ skim /

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See synonyms for: scheme / schemed / schemes / scheming on Thesaurus.com

noun

a plan, design, or program of action to be followed; project.

an underhand plot; intrigue.

a visionary or impractical project.

a body or system of related doctrines, theories, etc.: a scheme of philosophy.

any system of correlated things, parts, etc., or the manner of its arrangement.

a plan, program, or policy officially adopted and followed, as by a government or business: The company's pension scheme is very successful.

an analytical or tabular statement.

a diagram, map, or the like.

an astrological diagram of the heavens.

verb (used with object), schemed, schem·ing.

to devise as a scheme; conspire; plot; contrive.

verb (used without object), schemed, schem·ing.

to lay schemes; devise plans; plot.

OTHER WORDS FOR scheme

2 stratagem, cabal, conspiracy.

5 pattern, schema.

See synonyms for scheme on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of scheme

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

synonym study for scheme

1, 6. See plan. 10. See plot.

OTHER WORDS FROM scheme

scheme·less, adjectiveschem·er, nounout·scheme, verb (used with object), out·schemed, out·schem·ing.sub·scheme, noun

un·der·scheme, nounun·schemed, adjective

Words nearby scheme

Schelling, schema, schematic, schematism, schematize, scheme, schemer, schemie, scheming, Schenectady, Schengen Convention

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scheme in a sentence

In the scheme above, the electric charge comes from the coefficient — the value that swallows the infinity during the mathematical shuffling.
How Mathematical ‘Hocus-Pocus’ Saved Particle Physics|Charlie Wood|September 17, 2020|Quanta Magazine
The UK, like a number of other countries, rolled out a job retention scheme, which provides similar support.
Job markets in the US and Europe are surprisingly similar|Dan Kopf|September 16, 2020|Quartz
Users will need to purchase or already own an Apple Watch to participate in the scheme.
One country is now paying citizens to exercise with their Apple Watch|Naomi Xu Elegant|September 16, 2020|Fortune
Many San Diego County residents pay some of the highest water rates in the country, but thanks to a state watchdog agency, Imperial Beach and Coronado residents won’t be subject to a suspect water pricing scheme.
Morning Report: San Diego Is Ignoring an Untapped Water Source|Voice of San Diego|September 15, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Unlike the elections, Lam says, the universal testing scheme is not being carried out on a single day.
Hong Kong’s citywide COVID-19 testing has become a barometer of public trust|eamonbarrett|September 9, 2020|Fortune
Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
In this cockamamie get-rich scheme, would they all issue an apology if he cut a check?
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The scheme has been condemned by civil liberties groups and queried by the National Association of Head Teachers.
Britain May Spy on Preschoolers Searching for Potential Jihadis|Nico Hines|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
South Korean police busted up one such scheme in 2011, which was said to have netted millions.
Inside the ‘Surprisingly Great’ North Korean Hacker Hotel|Michael Daly|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Retailers were hammered by the scheme because checks and balances were scant in 2012, when the eBay grifting peaked.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks|M.L. Nestel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To see a part of my scheme, from which I had hoped so much, go wrong before my eyes is maddening!
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
The Duke found no difficulty in awakening the wishes, which were necessary to his scheme, in the mind of young Lorraine.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
But I feel sanguine in the spirit of the men; sanguine in my own spirit; sanguine in the soundness of my scheme.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Even if this colour scheme will not work, there is still a justification for the Asquithian phrase.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
The operations under the scheme began in August, 1878, when the houses in New Street were pulled down.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell

British Dictionary definitions for scheme

scheme

/ (skiːm) /

noun

a systematic plan for a course of action

a systematic arrangement of correlated parts; system

a secret plot

a visionary or unrealizable project

a chart, diagram, or outline

an astrological diagram giving the aspects of celestial bodies at a particular time

mainly British a plan formally adopted by a commercial enterprise or governmental body, as for pensions, etc

mainly Scot an area of housing that is laid out esp by a local authority; estate

verb

(tr) to devise a system for

to form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner

Derived forms of scheme

schemer, noun

Word Origin for scheme

C16: from Latin schema, from Greek skhēma form

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with scheme

scheme

see best-laid plans (schemes).

scheme

OTHER WORDS FOR scheme

Origin of scheme

synonym study for scheme

OTHER WORDS FROM scheme

Words nearby scheme

Words related to scheme

How to use scheme in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scheme

Derived forms of scheme

Word Origin for scheme

Other Idioms and Phrases with scheme