plan

[ plan ]

/ plæn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR plan ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc., developed in advance: battle plans.

a design or scheme of arrangement: an elaborate plan for seating guests.

a specific project or definite purpose: plans for the future.

Also called plan view. a drawing made to scale to represent the top view or a horizontal section of a structure or a machine, as a floor layout of a building.

a representation of a thing drawn on a plane, as a map or diagram: a plan of the dock area.

(in perspective drawing) one of several planes in front of a represented object, and perpendicular to the line between the object and the eye.

a formal program for specified benefits, needs, etc.: a pension plan.

verb (used with object), planned, plan·ning.

to arrange a method or scheme beforehand for (any work, enterprise, or proceeding): to plan a new recreation center.

to make plans for: to plan one's vacation.

to draw or make a diagram or layout of, as a building.

verb (used without object), planned, plan·ning.

to make plans: to plan ahead; to plan for one's retirement.

Nearby words

Origin of plan

1670–80; < French: ground, plan, groundwork, scheme, noun use of the adj.: flat, plane¹, learned borrowing of Latin plānus level (cf. plain¹)

SYNONYMS FOR plan

1. plot, formula, system. 4. sketch, draft, diagram, chart. 8. design, devise, plot.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR plan ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

plan·less, adjectiveplan·less·ly, adverbplan·less·ness, nounmis·plan, verb, mis·planned, mis·plan·ning.

out·plan, verb (used with object), out·planned, out·plan·ning.o·ver·plan, verb, o·ver·planned, o·ver·plan·ning.pre·plan, verb, pre·planned, pre·plan·ning.re·plan, verb (used with object), re·planned, re·plan·ning.un·der·plan, nounun·der·plan, verb (used with object), un·der·planned, un·der·plan·ning.un·plan, verb (used with object), un·planned, un·plan·ning.well-planned, adjective

Can be confusedplain plan plane

Synonym study

1. Plan, project, design, scheme imply a formulated method of doing something. Plan refers to any method of thinking out acts and purposes beforehand: What are your plans for today? A project is a proposed or tentative plan, often elaborate or extensive: an irrigation project. Design suggests art, dexterity, or craft (sometimes evil and selfish) in the elaboration or execution of a plan, and often tends to emphasize the purpose in view: a misunderstanding brought about by design. A scheme is apt to be either a speculative, possibly impracticable, plan, or a selfish or dishonest one: a scheme to swindle someone.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for well-planned

Moscow officials suggested that the attack on the Russian embassy was a well-planned action.
Tension With Russia Boils Over in Kiev|Anna Nemtsova|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For many this seems more like a well-planned campaign than mere coincidence.
What the Troops in Afghanistan Are Saying About Bergdahl|Nick Willard|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“This was serious, well-planned, well-executed,” Quigley said.
Victims of the Libyan Consulate Attack|Matthew DeLuca|September 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
His life is well-planned and hard-won; he has a stable, do-gooding career.
How I Transformed My Boyfriend Into a Booty Call|Kate Carraway|November 8, 2008|DAILY BEAST

The girl forgot her prayer in the horror of the discovery that there was to be a hitch in the well-planned arrangements.
Castle Craneycrow|George Barr McCutcheon
But in Ireland they are known as years of well-planned improvement in the practical administration.
The Earl of Mayo|William Wilson Hunter
It was on the ground floor, but it was quiet, large but not enormous, and well-planned.
The Way of Ambition|Robert Hichens
Such an accurate division of groups reveals the fact of a conscious and well-planned interference with the natural order.
The Origin of the Family Private Property and the State|Frederick Engels
Many a well-planned attack has been defeated by the warning-snort of the sentinel mustang.
The War Trail|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for well-planned

well-planned

adjective (well planned when postpositive)

(of an event, project, etc) suitably devised or drafted in advance to ensure success

plan

/ (plæn) /

noun

a detailed scheme, method, etc, for attaining an objective

(sometimes plural) a proposed, usually tentative idea for doing something

a drawing to scale of a horizontal section through a building taken at a given level; a view from above an object or an area in orthographic projectionCompare ground plan (def. 1), elevation (def. 5)

an outline, sketch, etc

(in perspective drawing) any of several imaginary planes perpendicular to the line of vision and between the eye and object depicted

verb plans, planning or planned

to form a plan (for) or make plans (for)

(tr) to make a plan of (a building)

(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to have in mind as a purpose; intend

Word Origin for plan

C18: via French from Latin plānus flat; compare plane 1, plain 1

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 well-planned

plan

1670s as a technical term in perspective drawing; 1706 as "drawing, sketch, or diagram of any object," from French plan "ground plan, map," literally "plane surface" (mid-16c.), from Latin planum "level or flat surface," noun use of adjective planus "level, flat" (see plane (n.1)). The notion is of "a drawing on a flat surface." Meaning "scheme of action, design" is first recorded 1706, possibly influenced by French planter "to plant," from Italian planta "ground plan."

plan

1728, "make a plan of," from plan (n.). Related: Planned; planning; plans. Planned economy is attested from 1931. Planned Parenthood (1942) formerly was Birth Control Federation of America.

Idioms and Phrases with well-planned

plan

In addition to the idiom beginning with plan

plan on

also see:

best-laid plans

plan

noun

verb (used with object), planned, plan·ning.

verb (used without object), planned, plan·ning.

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Nearby words

Origin of plan

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for well-planned

well-planned

adjective (well planned when postpositive)

plan

noun

verb plans, planning or planned

Word Origin for plan

plan

plan

plan