scheme

[ skeem ]

noun

1. a plan, design, or program of action to be followed; project.
2. an underhand plot; intrigue.

   Synonyms: conspiracy, cabal, stratagem

3. a visionary or impractical project.
4. a body or system of related doctrines, theories, etc.:

   a scheme of philosophy.

5. any system of correlated things, parts, etc., or the manner of its arrangement.

   Synonyms: schema, pattern

6. a plan, program, or policy officially adopted and followed, as by a government or business:

   The company's pension scheme is very successful.

7. an analytical or tabular statement.
8. a diagram, map, or the like.
9. an astrological diagram of the heavens.

verb (used with object)

, schemed, schem·ing.

1. to devise as a scheme; conspire; plot; contrive.

verb (used without object)

, schemed, schem·ing.

1. to lay schemes; devise plans; plot.

scheme

/ skiːm /

noun

1. a systematic plan for a course of action
2. a systematic arrangement of correlated parts; system
3. a secret plot
4. a visionary or unrealizable project
5. a chart, diagram, or outline
6. an astrological diagram giving the aspects of celestial bodies at a particular time
7. a plan formally adopted by a commercial enterprise or governmental body, as for pensions, etc
8. an area of housing that is laid out esp by a local authority; estate

verb

1. tr to devise a system for
2. to form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner

Derived Forms

• ˈschemer, noun

Other Words From

• scheme·less adjective
• schem·er noun
• out·scheme verb (used with object) outschemed outscheming
• sub·scheme noun
• un·der·scheme noun
• un·schemed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scheme¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Medieval Latin schēma (stem schēmat- ), from Greek schêma “form, figure”

Word History and Origins

Origin of scheme¹

C16: from Latin schema, from Greek skhēma form

Idioms and Phrases

see best-laid plans (schemes) .

Synonym Study

See plan. See plot.

Example Sentences

Mr Edwards has also learned that Waring could be free as early as April 2026 under the Home Detention Curfew scheme, although the MOJ said this would only happen subject to a risk assessment closer to the time.

From BBC

He accused the early release scheme of "severely undermining our efforts".

From BBC

Harrods said: "We encourage these survivors to come forward and make their claims to the Harrods scheme, where they can apply for compensation, as well as support from a counselling perspective and through an independent survivor advocate."

From BBC

So drawing scheme into "megafunds" will make little, or no, difference to what they receive.

From BBC

Individually, the UK’s 86 local government pension schemes vary in size, from Greater Manchester’s massive £30bn fund all the way down to several schemes which are “sub-£1bn”, according to Joanne Donnelly, board secretary at the Local Government Pension Scheme Advisory Board.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement
• blueprint
• design
• device
• game plan
• pattern
• plan
• program
• project
• proposal
• strategy
• system
• theory