plan

[ plan ]

/ plæn /

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.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?

Question 1 of 10

earnest

full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.

a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.

urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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 SYNONYMS FOR plan ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for plan

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM plan

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH plan

plain plan plane

Words nearby plan

plainview, plainville, plaister, plait, plaiting, plan, plan b, plan on, plan position indicator, plan view, plan-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences 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 (1 of 2)

well-planned

adjective (well planned when postpositive)

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

British Dictionary definitions for well-planned (2 of 2)

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

Idioms and Phrases with well-planned

plan

In addition to the idiom beginning with plan

plan on

also see:

best-laid plans

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

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WORD OF THE DAY

plan

noun

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

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

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

Origin of plan

SYNONYMS FOR plan

synonym study for plan

OTHER WORDS FROM plan

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH plan

Words nearby plan

Example sentences from the Web for well-planned

British Dictionary definitions for well-planned (1 of 2)

adjective (well planned when postpositive)

British Dictionary definitions for well-planned (2 of 2)

noun

verb plans, planning or planned

Word Origin for plan

Idioms and Phrases with well-planned

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

plan

noun

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

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

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

Origin of plan

SYNONYMS FOR plan

synonym study for plan

OTHER WORDS FROM plan

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH plan

Words nearby plan

Words related to well-planned

Example sentences from the Web for well-planned

British Dictionary definitions for well-planned (1 of 2)

adjective (well planned when postpositive)

British Dictionary definitions for well-planned (2 of 2)

noun

verb plans, planning or planned

Word Origin for plan

Idioms and Phrases with well-planned