scheme

noun \ ˈskēm \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

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

Critics argue that its encryption schemes have not been fully vetted and that the app may not actually be secure.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Security News This Week: Russia Bans Encrypted Chat App Telegram," 14 Apr. 2018
But former Speaker Larry Householder, now back in the House, is vying to retake the spot. Householder left office in 2004 amid an FBI investigation into an alleged kickback scheme.

— jackie borchardt, cleveland.com, "Cliff Rosenberger's unlikely tenure as Ohio House Speaker coming to an abrupt end," 11 Apr. 2018
The season is still months away, so just how much the Tigers will diversify their defensive schemes compared to past seasons is unclear.

— aaron reiss, kansascity, "Mizzou football's new offense could feature more than 100 different routes | The Kansas City Star," 5 Apr. 2018
The subpoena is dated Jan. 18 — the same day Webb pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud and filing a false tax return for his role in the alleged bribery scheme.

— gregory pratt, Daily Southtown, "Federal investigation continues in Markham after mayor's guilty plea," 4 Apr. 2018
Though no one has been charged in the alleged recruiting bribery scheme that prompted Pitino’s firing at the University of Louisville, the likelihood of it leading to another NCAA infractions case poses a ponderous hurdle for the Hall of Fame coach.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Rick Pitino could be a home run hire — if you ignore his baggage | Tim Sullivan," 31 Mar. 2018
Look at the Philadelphia Union, for instance, which recently toned down its once bold blue-and-gold color scheme complete with center stripe.

— graham ruthven, Pro Soccer USA, "Does MLS’ deal with adidas stifle kit creativity?," 30 Mar. 2018
According to the Post, the DA’s office was first notified of Iorio’s alleged scheme in July 2017.

— Fox News, "Man pleads guilty to 'sextortion' -- blackmailing women to provide lewd photos," 25 Mar. 2018
Unfortunately, his evil scheme was somewhat of a letdown—the Lodges want to turn Southside High into... a prison.

— amy mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Riverdale Season 2 Episode 16: Ethel Goes Full Mean Girls on Veronica," 22 Mar. 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

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

Sometimes a coach can scheme and drill and coax something glorious out of a group without much of that individual brilliance.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan basketball's John Beilein squeezed everything from U-M roster," 3 Apr. 2018
Whimsical speak for the fact that OOKIOH's bright, primary color schemed minimalist suits invoke a heavy dose of travel lust and an itch too book an Instagrammable beach vacation, ASAP.

— allie briggs, refinery29.com, "The New Eco-Friendly Swimsuit Brand That's All Under $100," 26 Mar. 2018
Usually when teams penetrate, defenses can scheme around a big man or a player who can't light it up from outside.

— scott gleeson, USA TODAY, "Final Four preview: No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 11 Loyola Chicago — keys to victory," 25 Mar. 2018
Or perhaps the children get together, plotting and scheming, to throw me for a loop with new and sometimes challenging recipe requests.

— maya wilson, Anchorage Daily News, "Lemon meringue pie is an old-fashioned but dreamy confection worth making," 22 Mar. 2018
These men will scheme and backstab and shift loyalties endlessly.

— bill goodykoontz, azcentral, "'The Death of Stalin' is brilliant madness," 22 Mar. 2018
True to their suspicions, the rest of the tribe got to scheming, planning to vote fit-and-beefy model Chris off to eliminate the threat.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? Did Mason woman advance?," 14 Mar. 2018
Iannucci’s scheming, darkly violent reconstruction of the power struggle to replace Stalin plays with some of the facts, but it is also meant to demystify the historical fight for control and win a few laughs along the way.

— andrew roth, Washington Post, "Russia bans the darkly comic film ‘Death of Stalin’," 23 Jan. 2018
My body is ready—and, frankly, anticipating—some A+ Mona Vanderwaal scheming.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "The 'Pretty Little Liars' Spin-Off Is All Over Instagram, and I Can't Wait," 28 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of scheme

1749

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

Related Words

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

Learn More about scheme

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