scheme

American  

[skeem] / skim /

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.

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verb (used with object)

schemed, scheming

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

verb (used without object)

schemed, scheming

1. to lay schemes; devise plans; plot.

scheme British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to devise a system for

2. to form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner

scheme Idioms  

1. see best-laid plans (schemes).

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Related Words

See plan. See plot.

Other Word Forms

• outscheme verb (used with object)
• schemeless adjective
• schemer noun
• subscheme noun
• underscheme noun
• unschemed adjective

Etymology

Origin of scheme

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

Example Sentences

The scheme was launched in October 2023 but the government says it was "not strictly enforced to give visitors ample time to adjust to the new requirement".

From BBC

Since then, the museum has also been beset by a suspected ticket fraud scheme, as well as being hit by a water leak.

From BBC

Farmers in England will continue to be paid for environmental work after the government confirmed details of its flagship green funding scheme, which is being relaunched after its sudden closure.

From BBC

For example, Bondi served as the lead attorney for billionaire Trevor Milton, who was convicted of defrauding investors in 2022, in a scheme in which Milton made misleading statements targeting “retail investors.”

From Salon

However, the Loch Lomond park authority board ruled that the updated scheme still conflicted with both regional and national environmental policies, and unanimously rejected back the plan.

From BBC

Related Words

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