schematic

American  

[skee-mat-ik, ski-] / skiˈmæt ɪk, skɪ- /

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of a schema, diagram, or scheme; diagrammatic.

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noun

1. a diagram, plan, or drawing.

   Read the schematic before attempting any repairs.

schematic British  

/ skɪˈmætɪk, skiː- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the nature of a diagram, plan, or schema

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noun

1. a schematic diagram, esp of an electrical circuit

Other Word Forms

• nonschematic adjective
• nonschematically adverb
• schematically adverb
• unschematic adjective
• unschematically adverb

Etymology

Origin of schematic

First recorded in 1695–1705; from New Latin schēmaticus, from Greek schēmatikós, from schēmat-, stem of schêma “form, figure” ( see scheme) + -ikos -ic

Explanation

Use the adjective schematic to describe a drawing that's very simple and symbolic. That drawing your cousin made of a house with a pointy roof, smiling stick figures, and a round yellow sun? Very schematic. The word schematic can apply to ideas as well as drawings. In this case, schematic describes an overly simple interpretation of something complex, like a work of literature or a detailed plan for social change. Think of it like the drawing of a boxy house and stick figures, only applied to ideas — it's an outline of something that may not capture all the important details.

Example Sentences

As schematic as the premise sounds—it’s another hitman story, after all—the series is fast-paced and gripping, largely because it’s so fast-paced.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

The mournful irony underlying the somewhat schematic plot is that they never can quite find themselves in sync, despite the bonds between them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Rams coach Sean McVay and San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan know each other — and each other’s schematic and play-calling tendencies — better than perhaps any two coaches in the NFL.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2025

Setting down the xenomorphs on Earth is a stunning, scary idea that Hawley builds from a schematic illustrated with tension, tragedy, fascination, and grim familiarity with our species’ greatest flaws: hubris and greed.

From Salon • Aug. 5, 2025

Because of the A schematic illustration of the double helix.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Related Words

• simplified