scheme
Americannoun
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a plan, design, or program of action to be followed; project.
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an underhand plot; intrigue.
- Synonyms:
- conspiracy, cabal, stratagem
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a visionary or impractical project.
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a body or system of related doctrines, theories, etc..
a scheme of philosophy.
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any system of correlated things, parts, etc., or the manner of its arrangement.
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a plan, program, or policy officially adopted and followed, as by a government or business.
The company's pension scheme is very successful.
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an analytical or tabular statement.
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a diagram, map, or the like.
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an astrological diagram of the heavens.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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a systematic plan for a course of action
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a systematic arrangement of correlated parts; system
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a secret plot
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a visionary or unrealizable project
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a chart, diagram, or outline
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an astrological diagram giving the aspects of celestial bodies at a particular time
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a plan formally adopted by a commercial enterprise or governmental body, as for pensions, etc
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an area of housing that is laid out esp by a local authority; estate
verb
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(tr) to devise a system for
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to form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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schemesimple
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schemessimple
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have schemedperfect
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has schemedperfect
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am schemingprogressive
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are schemingprogressive
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is schemingprogressive
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have been schemingperfect progressive
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has been schemingperfect progressive
Past
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schemedsimple
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had schemedperfect
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was schemingprogressive
-
were schemingprogressive
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had been schemingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing scheme
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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"The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The trade union Verdi said the proposal to scrap the early retirement scheme showed "a total disregard for the lifetime achievements of the people concerned".
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
The scheme is expected to increase Gatwick's capacity from about 280,000 flights a year currently, to 389,000 by the late 2030s.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
“In the bigger scheme of things, I’m more inclined to be a buyer in today’s market than a seller,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026
Now consider Thomas’ distortion of the congressional scheme.
From Slate • Jun. 23, 2026
I shall have to intercept them before they arrive at the house, so I can fill them in on the details of our scheme . . . but however shall I manage it?”
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
