scheme

UK: /ˈskiːm/ US: /skim/ ,(skēm)

Inflections of 'scheme' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

schemes

v 3rd person singular

scheming

v pres p

schemed

v past

schemed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

scheme /skim/   n., v., schemed, schem•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. a plan of action;
   project or system:
   a scheme to speed up production.
2. a dishonest, usually secret plot;
   an intrigue.
3. a diagram, map, or the like.

v. 

4. to create (something) as a scheme;
   plot: [~ + object]
   schemed a way to avoid the work.
   [no object]
   went around scheming so much no one trusted him.

schem•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

scheme  (skēm), n., v., schemed, schem•ing. 
n. 

1. a plan, design, or program of action to be followed;
   project.
2. an underhand plot;
   intrigue.
3. a visionary or impractical project.
4. a body or system of related doctrines, theories, etc.:
   a scheme of philosophy.
5. any system of correlated things, parts, etc., or the manner of its arrangement.
6. a plan, program, or policy officially adopted and followed, as by a government or business:
   The company's pension scheme is very successful.
7. an analytical or tabular statement.
8. a diagram, map, or the like.
9. an astrological diagram of the heavens.

v.t. 

10. to devise as a scheme;
    plan;
    plot;
    contrive.

v.i. 

11. to lay schemes;
    devise plans;
    plot.

• Greek schêma form, figure
• Medieval Latin schēma (stem schēmat-)
• 1545–55

scheme′less, adj. 
schem′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 6. See plan. 
• 2. stratagem, cabal, conspiracy.
• 5. pattern, schema.
• 10. See plot ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scheme / skiːm/ noun

1. a systematic plan for a course of action
2. a systematic arrangement of correlated parts; system
3. a secret plot
4. a visionary or unrealizable project
5. a chart, diagram, or outline
6. an astrological diagram giving the aspects of celestial bodies at a particular time
7. a plan formally adopted by a commercial enterprise or governmental body, as for pensions, etc
8. an area of housing that is laid out esp by a local authority; estate

verb

1. (transitive) to devise a system for
2. to form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin schema, from Greek skhēma form

ˈschemer noun