Origin: 1670–80; <
French: ground, plan, groundwork, scheme, noun use of the adj.: flat,
plane1, learned borrowing of
Latin plānus level (
compare plain1)
Related formsplan·less, adjective
plan·less·ly, adverb
plan·less·ness, noun
mis·plan, verb, -planned, -plan·ning.
out·plan, verb (used with object), -planned, -plan·ning.
EXPANDo·ver·plan, verb, -planned, -plan·ning.
pre·plan, verb, -planned, -plan·ning.
re·plan, verb (used with object), -planned, -plan·ning.
un·der·plan, noun
un·der·plan, verb (used with object), -planned, -plan·ning.
un·plan, verb (used with object), -planned, -plan·ning.
well-planned, adjective
COLLAPSECan be confused: plain,
plan, plane (see synonym note at
the current entry).
Synonyms
1. plot, formula, system. Plan, project, design, scheme imply a formulated method of doing something. Plan refers to any method of thinking out acts and purposes beforehand: What are your plans for today? A project is a proposed or tentative plan, often elaborate or extensive: an irrigation project. Design suggests art, dexterity, or craft (sometimes evil and selfish) in the elaboration or execution of a plan, and often tends to emphasize the purpose in view: a misunderstanding brought about by design. A scheme is apt to be either a speculative, possibly impracticable, plan, or a selfish or dishonest one: a scheme to swindle someone. 4. sketch, draft, diagram, chart. 8. design, devise, plot.