scheme
//skiːm//
Forms
- Plural
- schemes
- present (v1)
- scheme
- past (v2)
- schemed
- past participle (v3)
- schemed
- present participle
- scheming
- 3rd person singular
- schemes
Definitions
1.A representation of the aspects of the celestial bodies for any moment or at a given event.
2.A systematic plan of future action.
- Originally the opening had doubtless marked the projection of another road, but the scheme had come to nothing.
- The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when we want shoes.
3.A plot or secret, devious plan.
- Her brain is continually fermenting new schemes.
4.An orderly combination of related parts.
- The Revolution came and changed his whole scheme of life.
1.To plot, or contrive a plan; to maneuver.
- The openly ridiculous plot has The Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) scheming to win the Pirate Of The Year competition, even though he’s a terrible pirate, far outclassed by rivals voiced by Jeremy Piven and Salma Hayek.
2.To plan; to contrive; to maneuver.
- He schemed a plot. He made use of the hotel's stationery to write a letter.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3008
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Etymology
From late Middle English scheame, from Medieval Latin schēma (“figure, form”), from Ancient Greek σχῆμα (skhêma, “form, shape”), from ἔχω (ékhō, “to hold”).
Doublet of schema.
Compare sketch.