scheme

noun \ ˈskēm \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: scheme in a Sentence

Definition of scheme

1 a archaic

(1) : a mathematical or astronomical diagram

(2) : a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time

b : a graphic sketch or outline

2 : a concise statement or table : epitome

3 : a plan or program of action; especially : a crafty or secret one

4 : a systematic or organized configuration : design

color scheme

See scheme defined for English-language learners

See scheme defined for kids

Examples of scheme in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of scheme from the Web

Instead, Trump’s SCOTUS search mirrored the his broader scheme to reshape the American judiciary in a whiter shade of pale.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "The unbearable whiteness of being Trump's judicial picks | Will Bunch," 10 July 2018
The show is miles away from its relatively modest money-laundering scheme of the first season — the one that was supposed to help Desna pay to open a new salon, remember that dream?

— nina metz, chicagotribune.com, "‘Claws’ Episode 5 recap: 5 things to know about ‘Vaginalologist’ and the good doctor’s betrayal," 9 July 2018
Dima has fled to London after his latest brilliant scheme has gone bust.

— New York Times, "Struggling to Love, Work and Do the Right Thing in Putin’s Russia," 9 July 2018
Last August, Gignac continued to woo Soffer in his scheme to buy an interest in the hotel, inviting him to his Fisher Island penthouse apartment.

— jay weaver, miamiherald, "Fake sultan's scam of a Miami billionaire fizzled after reckless Ferrari drive, pork meals," 6 July 2018
His inventive schemes have benefited one player in particular: Harry Kane.

— ben cohen, WSJ, "England’s Soccer Team Needed Help, So They Stole From the NBA," 2 July 2018
Just then, the device's battery blew up, injuring the man's foot and derailing his scheme, Koval wrote.

— samantha schmidt, Anchorage Daily News, "A man put a camera in his shoe for some 'upskirting' shots. It exploded on his foot.," 28 June 2018
Bloomgren has emphasized the importance of the fullback position to his offensive scheme since taking the reins on South Main.

— glynn a. hill, Houston Chronicle, "Rice football adds three transfers," 25 June 2018
Crime, already on the decline in American city centres, seems to fall even further in gentrifying neighbourhoods, as MIT economists observed after Cambridge, Massachusetts, undid its rent-control scheme.

— The Economist, "In praise of gentrification," 21 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of scheme

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1595

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

scheme Synonyms

Synonyms

arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, plan, program, project, strategy, system;

Related Words

collusion, conspiracy, plot;

contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick;

counterplan, counterstrategy;

means, tactic, technique, way;

procedure, protocol;

conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s);

aim, intent, intention, purpose;

diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup;

Synonym Discussion of 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

scheme

verb

Definition of scheme

schemed; scheming

transitive verb

: to form a scheme for

intransitive verb

: to form plans; also : plot, intrigue

—

schemer

noun

See scheme defined for English-language learners

Examples of scheme in a Sentence

He felt that the other men were scheming against him.
He was betrayed by a scheming friend.

Recent Examples of scheme from the Web

If James could win titles with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, this seems doable too, particularly if Mike D’Antoni has a summer to scheme up something for three (!) of the best players in the league.

— charles curtis, For The Win, "How the Rockets should convince LeBron James to sign with them," 28 June 2018
But the thing is, dragons and direwolves are just as important to this narrative as Cersei’s scheming.

— refinery29.com, "HBO Is Making A Game of Thrones Spinoff & We’ve Got Some Ideas," 9 June 2018
Panic, but not yet Whatever the outcome of closed-door scheming in Rome this week, Italy is likely to get its first all-populist government—if not now, then soon, after another election.

— The Economist, "Italy needs to be handled with care," 31 May 2018
Zunaid Hossain, 22, faces a charge of scheming to defraud.

— maria elena vizcaino, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Fraudster in Orlando tricked Michigan man into wiring $19K — twice, cops say," 11 July 2018
Engler spent his time as MSU President verbally urinating on child molest survivors of Nassar and scheming to hurt them.

— CBS News, "Michigan State University president urged to resign by 2 trustees," 15 June 2018
Part of Open Society’s agenda is to have open borders, and Mr. Orban blames Mr. Soros for scheming to flood Hungary with immigrants.

— WSJ, "If UnKoch Is Fine, What About an UnSoros?," 6 June 2018
His story of dreamy lovers split apart by scheming courtiers is also a protest against rulers, like the unseen duke, whose riches are wrung from the blood of their people.

— laura collins-hughes, New York Times, "Review: Pulled Apart by ‘Love and Intrigue’," 8 June 2018
An Iranian businessman schemed to illegally export from Illinois aluminum tubing used in the missile and aerospace industries, according to an indictment made public Thursday in federal court in Chicago.

— jason meisner, chicagotribune.com, "Iranian indicted in Chicago on charges he exported aluminum tubing used in missile industry," 21 June 2018

First Known Use of scheme

1749

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

scheme Synonyms

Synonyms

collude, connive, conspire, contrive, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up;

Related Words

counterplot;

brew, concoct, cook (up), devise, hatch;

engineer, jockey, maneuver, manipulate;

design, frame, lay out, map, plan, shape;

SCHEME Defined for English Language Learners

scheme

noun

Definition of scheme for English Language Learners

: a clever and often dishonest plan to do or get something
: an official plan or program of action
: the way that something is arranged or organized

scheme

verb

Definition of scheme for English Language Learners

: to make plans to do or get something in a secret and often dishonest way

SCHEME Defined for Kids

scheme

noun \ ˈskēm \

Definition of scheme for Students

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

Definition of scheme for Students

schemed; scheming

: to form a secret plan

—

schemer

noun

Medical Dictionary

scheme

noun \ ˈskēm \

medical Definition of scheme

: schema

Law Dictionary

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

Learn More about scheme

See words that rhyme with scheme Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scheme Spanish Central: Translation of scheme Nglish: Translation of scheme for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scheme for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scheme

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scheme

Definition of scheme

Examples of scheme in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of scheme

scheme Synonyms

Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of scheme

scheme

Definition of scheme

schemer

Examples of scheme in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scheme from the Web

First Known Use of scheme

scheme Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to SCHEME

Related Phrases

SCHEME Defined for English Language Learners

scheme

Definition of scheme for English Language Learners

scheme

Definition of scheme for English Language Learners

SCHEME Defined for Kids

scheme

Definition of scheme for Students

scheme

Definition of scheme for Students

schemer

Medical Dictionary

scheme

medical Definition of scheme

Law Dictionary

scheme

legal Definition of scheme

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