scheme
a visionary or impractical project.
a body or system of related doctrines, theories, etc.: a scheme of philosophy.
any system of correlated things, parts, etc., or the manner of its arrangement.
a plan, program, or policy officially adopted and followed, as by a government or business: The company's pension scheme is very successful.
an analytical or tabular statement.
a diagram, map, or the like.
an astrological diagram of the heavens.
Origin of scheme
1synonym study For scheme
Other words for scheme
Other words from scheme
- scheme·less, adjective
- schem·er, noun
- out·scheme, verb (used with object), out·schemed, out·schem·ing.
- sub·scheme, noun
- un·der·scheme, noun
- un·schemed, adjective
Words Nearby scheme
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use scheme in a sentence
Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme.
In this cockamamie get-rich scheme, would they all issue an apology if he cut a check?
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers | Stereo Williams | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe scheme has been condemned by civil liberties groups and queried by the National Association of Head Teachers.
Britain May Spy on Preschoolers Searching for Potential Jihadis | Nico Hines | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTSouth Korean police busted up one such scheme in 2011, which was said to have netted millions.
Inside the ‘Surprisingly Great’ North Korean Hacker Hotel | Michael Daly | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRetailers were hammered by the scheme because checks and balances were scant in 2012, when the eBay grifting peaked.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks | M.L. Nestel | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
To see a part of my scheme, from which I had hoped so much, go wrong before my eyes is maddening!
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThe Duke found no difficulty in awakening the wishes, which were necessary to his scheme, in the mind of young Lorraine.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterBut I feel sanguine in the spirit of the men; sanguine in my own spirit; sanguine in the soundness of my scheme.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonEven if this colour scheme will not work, there is still a justification for the Asquithian phrase.
The operations under the scheme began in August, 1878, when the houses in New Street were pulled down.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
British Dictionary definitions for scheme
/ (skiːm) /
a systematic plan for a course of action
a systematic arrangement of correlated parts; system
a secret plot
a visionary or unrealizable project
a chart, diagram, or outline
an astrological diagram giving the aspects of celestial bodies at a particular time
mainly British a plan formally adopted by a commercial enterprise or governmental body, as for pensions, etc
mainly Scot an area of housing that is laid out esp by a local authority; estate
(tr) to devise a system for
to form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
Origin of scheme
1Derived forms of scheme
- schemer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with scheme
see best-laid plans (schemes).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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