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” ( 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

“Beyond Belief” is far more schematic, to the extent that the various chapters—nine, to be exact—focus on aspects of the game that correspond to churchly concepts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

There were no potted histories, no schematic definition of concepts, no leading questions to wake up sleepy students.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

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

Not that Trương presents any of this in any sort of schematic way.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2025

Because of the A schematic illustration of the double helix.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Related Words

• simplified