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scheme

[skeem]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scheme ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

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

to lay schemes; devise plans; plot.

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RELATED WORDS

rogue, rascal, deceiver, scammer

Origin of scheme

1545–55; < Medieval Latin schēma (stem schēmat-) < Greek schêma form, figure
Related formsscheme·less, adjectiveschem·er, nounout·scheme, verb (used with object), out·schemed, out·schem·ing.sub·scheme, nounun·der·scheme, nounun·schemed, adjective

Synonyms for scheme

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scheme ON THESAURUS.COM
2. stratagem, cabal, conspiracy. 5. pattern, schema.

Synonym study

1, 6. See plan. 10. See plot.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for schemer

Contemporary Examples of schemer

Historical Examples of schemer

British Dictionary definitions for schemer

scheme

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 Formsschemer, 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
Word Origin and History for schemer
n.

1724, "a contriver, plotter," agent noun from scheme (v.).

scheme

n.

1550s, "figure of speech," from Medieval Latin schema "shape, figure, form, appearance; figure of speech; posture in dancing," from Greek skhema (genitive skhematos) "figure, appearance, the nature of a thing," related to skhein "to get," and ekhein "to have," from PIE root *segh- "to hold, to hold in one's power, to have" (cf. Sanskrit sahate "he masters, overcomes," sahah "power, victory;" Avestan hazah "power, victory;" Greek ekhein "to have, hold;" Gothic sigis, Old High German sigu, Old Norse sigr, Old English sige "victory").

The sense "program of action" first is attested 1640s. Unfavorable overtones (selfish, devious) began to creep in early 18c. Meaning "complex unity of coordinated component elements" is from 1736. Color scheme is attested from 1884.

scheme

v.

"devise a scheme," 1767 (earlier "reduce to a scheme," 1716), from scheme (n.). Related: Schemed; scheming.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with schemer

scheme

see best-laid plans (schemes).

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.