scheme

1 of 2

noun

ˈskēm How to pronounce scheme (audio)
Synonyms of schemenext
1
: a plan or program of action
especially : a crafty or secret one
2
: a systematic or organized configuration : design
color scheme
3
: a concise statement or table : epitome
4
a
: a graphic sketch or outline
b archaic
(1)
: a mathematical or astronomical diagram
(2)
: a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time

scheme

2 of 2

verb

schemed; scheming

intransitive verb

: to form plans
also : plot, intrigue

transitive verb

: to form a scheme for
schemer noun

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for scheme

plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end.

plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.

a scheme to defraud the government

project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

Examples of scheme in a Sentence

Noun a scheme to cheat people out of their money The company has a new scheme for insurance coverage. a scheme to improve the economy the color scheme of a room Verb He felt that the other men were scheming against him. He was betrayed by a scheming friend.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Pietro La Greca Jr’s memoir Pesos: The Rise and Fall of a Border Family tells the story of an Italian immigrant and con man who ran Mexico’s biggest money laundering scheme during the worst economic period in the country’s history. —Peter White, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024 In the 2000s, federal agents deduced that the company was a mere front for a complex money laundering scheme. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
The film focuses on the relationship between Stan’s Trump and his scheming lawyer Roy Cohn (played by Succession star Jeremy Strong). —Eric Andersson, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Hal takes the information about the scheming Vice President to the President directly who…then apparently has a heart attack and dies on the spot. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scheme 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin schemat-, schema arrangement, figure, from Greek schēmat-, schēma, from echein to have, hold, be in (such) a condition; akin to Old English sige victory, Sanskrit sahate he prevails

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at sense 4b(1)

Verb

1749, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of scheme was circa 1595

Phrases Containing scheme

Dictionary Entries Near scheme

schematograph

scheme

scheme arch

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scheme. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

scheme

1 of 2 noun
ˈskēm How to pronounce scheme (audio)
1
: a pictorial sketch or outline
2
: a brief statement in an outline, table, or list
3
: a plan or program of action
a new scheme for better insurance coverage
especially : a sly or secret one
a scheme to seize control of the territory
4
: a regular or organized design, arrangement, or pattern
the color scheme of a room
your whole scheme of life

scheme

2 of 2 verb
schemed; scheming
1
: to form a scheme for
2
: to form plans
especially : to engage in a plot
schemer noun

Medical Definition

scheme

noun
ˈskēm How to pronounce scheme (audio)
: schema

Legal Definition

scheme

noun
1
: a combination of elements (as statutes or regulations) that are connected, adjusted, and integrated by design : a systematic plan or program
an inspection scheme
2
: a clever and often dishonest plan
a scheme to defraud investors

More from Merriam-Webster on scheme

Nglish: Translation of scheme for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of scheme for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scheme

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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