scheme

noun

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\ ˈskēm

Definition of scheme

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

4a : 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

verb

schemed; scheming

Definition of scheme (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to form plans also : plot, intrigue

transitive verb

: to form a scheme for

Other Words from scheme Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing scheme Learn More About scheme

Choose the Right Synonym for scheme

Noun

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun New cabinetry painted Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue complements the vivid orange and red in the entry and grounds the scheme in tradition, as do the vintage Oriental rugs that Reilly was able to choose from her parents’ collection. — Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2022 Since the modern fireplace is the main architectural detail in the room, this urged Hammel to find other ways to pepper historic elements into the design scheme. — Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 11 May 2022 The scheme ran from 2010 through the fall of 2018, when Naymik’s columns first appeared, and netted Johnson $127,200 in reimbursements. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 10 May 2022 In 1942, the idea was revived by a pair of British intelligence officers named Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley (played in the film by Firth and Macfadyen, respectively) who were charged with putting the scheme in motion. — Clark Collis, EW.com, 10 May 2022 With Trent Bray now coordinating the defense, the scheme will look a little different. — oregonlive, 10 May 2022 The other candidates all benefited from the city’s generous public finance campaign matching scheme. — Benjamin Oreskesstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2022 The design scheme was unity, so there is almost no mention of the actual cause of the Civil War, slavery. — CBS News, 8 May 2022 The scheme might have worked beautifully, had David Mockett not entered the picture. — Ankush Khardori, The New Republic, 6 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. — Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2022 Kudrow costarred in the 1997 comedy opposite Mira Sorvino, playing a pair of charming but vapid best friends who scheme to dominate their high school reunion ten years after graduating. — Dan Heching, PEOPLE.com, 21 Mar. 2022 Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. — Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2022 Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. — Joel A. Erickson, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Mar. 2022 Billups told him that teams were going to scheme for him differently as the starting point guard. — oregonlive, 25 Jan. 2022 Patience might be the key word there, as it’s becoming more clear how defenses are going to scheme around Rattler moving forward. — R.j. Coyle, Dallas News, 22 Sep. 2021 Those teams scheme well and run precise combination and clearing routes. — Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, 25 Jan. 2022 The Bears have a major hole without Mack, something defensive coordinator Sean Desai has to scheme around on a weekly basis. — Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, 4 Dec. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scheme.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near scheme

schematograph

scheme

scheme arch

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Last Updated

14 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scheme. Accessed 22 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for scheme

scheme

noun

\ ˈskēm

Kids Definition of scheme

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a secret plan : plot

2 : a plan of something to be done : project

3 : an organized design I like the room's color scheme.

scheme

verb

schemed; scheming

Kids Definition of scheme (Entry 2 of 2)

: to form a secret plan

scheme

noun

\ ˈskēm

Medical Definition of scheme

: schema

scheme

noun

Legal Definition of scheme

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