scheme
skeem
Scheme (noun) means a plan for how to do something, especially an organized or official one. Example: “The council launched a new recycling scheme for the whole town.”
noun
1
A plan for how to do something, especially an organized or official one.
"The council launched a new recycling scheme for the whole town."
"He signed up for the company's pension scheme."
"The village hall has a new scheme to help older people learn computers."
2
A secret or dishonest plan intended to trick someone or gain an advantage.
"The whole thing turned out to be an elaborate scheme to steal investors' money."
"Police uncovered a scheme to sell fake tickets to unsuspecting football fans."
"She saw through his scheme to borrow money he never planned to repay."
verb
1
To plan something secretly or deviously.
"The two rivals were scheming to take over the family business."
"The villain in the play schemes to inherit the old house."
"While his brothers slept, he schemed about how to win the prize."
How to use scheme
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA plan — can be neutral (like a pension scheme) or shady (like a scam).
UK vs US
British English uses "scheme" freely for official plans (e.g. "housing scheme"); American English tends to reserve it for dishonest plots and prefers "plan" or "program" for neutral ones.
Common pairings
pension scheme
pyramid scheme
scheme to defraud
color scheme
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Word forms
- Plural
- schemes
- Third person singular
- schemes
- Past tense
- schemed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The council launched a new recycling _____ for the whole town.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin schēma ("figure, form"), from Greek skhēma, related to a word meaning "to hold". A doublet of "schema".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for scheme
See all rhymes for scheme →Frequently asked questions
What does “scheme” mean?
The word “scheme” means a plan for how to do something, especially an organized or official one. In plain terms, a plan — can be neutral (like a pension scheme) or shady (like a scam).
How do you pronounce “scheme”?
“Scheme” is pronounced skeem (/skiːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “scheme” in a sentence?
Here is “scheme” used in a sentence: “The council launched a new recycling scheme for the whole town.”
What is another word for “scheme”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scheme” include hatch and intrigue.
What part of speech is “scheme”?
Depending on how it is used, “scheme” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scheme” come from?
The word “scheme” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin schēma ("figure, form"), from Greek skhēma, related to a word meaning "to hold". A doublet of "schema".
Is “scheme” a common word?
“Scheme” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “scheme” have?
“Scheme” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a plan for how to do something, especially an organized or official one.
What is the difference between a scheme and a plan?
A plan is any set of steps for achieving something. A scheme is usually a more organised or official plan, often large in scale — a government scheme, a pension scheme. In British English 'scheme' is neutral, but in American English it often implies something sneaky or dishonest.
Does 'scheme' have a negative meaning?
It depends on the variety of English. In British English, a scheme is usually a neutral or positive organised plan, like a recycling scheme. In American English, 'scheme' more often suggests a crafty or dishonest plot. Context and region decide whether the word is neutral or carries suspicion.
What are the types of scheme?
The word covers many organised plans: government schemes for housing or welfare, pension and savings schemes, colour schemes for design, and grand schemes or plots in the crafty sense. What links them is structure — a scheme is an arranged system or plan rather than a vague idea.
What is an example of a scheme?
A pension scheme, which sets out an organised plan for saving toward retirement, is a common example. Others include a government recycling scheme, a loyalty scheme at a shop, or a colour scheme that plans how shades work together in a room.
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