scheme

1 of 2

noun

ˈskēm 

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

• artifice
• device
• dodge
• fetch
• flimflam
• gambit
• gimmick
• jig
• juggle
• knack
• play
• ploy
• ruse
• shenanigan
• sleight
• stratagem
• trick
• wile

Verb

• collude
• compass
• connive
• conspire
• contrive
• intrigue
• machinate
• plot
• put up

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

Noun

At the end of February, a pedestrian was hit in West London by an ebike rider in West London — not a rental or sharing scheme, to be clear — and died after a month in hospital. —Nicole Kobie, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

This scheme netted Smith over $10 million in royalties before he was caught. —Tyler Hicks, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025

Verb

There’s going to be a queen in there trying to get the show director job, who will lie and scheme. —Joey Nolfi Updated, EW.com, 7 June 2025

Of course, [opponents] are going to do their best to scheme it up. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing scheme

• color scheme
• pension scheme
• Ponzi scheme
• pyramid scheme
• rhyme scheme
• the overall scheme of things
• the scheme of things

Rhymes for scheme

• beam
• bream
• cream
• creme
• deem
• dream
• gleam
• meme
• ream
• scream
• seam
• seem

Kids Definition

scheme

1 of 2 noun

ˈskēm 

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 

: 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