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
schemed; scheming
: to form a scheme for
schemer
noun
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
Jamie Court, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Minnesota Vikings Needs: RB, D-line, CB, S Ole Miss CB Trey Amos: Amos has good instincts around the ball and the press coverage skills needed to fit Brian Flores’ defensive scheme, which places cornerbacks on an island most of the time.
25.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Mike Defabo, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
That is complicit with scheming orchestrated by politicized bureaucrats.
—Jack Fowler, National Review, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
Nearly 30 years ago California legislators faced a test of their integrity in voting for an electricity deregulation scheme that ratepayers are still paying for.
—Jamie Court, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Minnesota Vikings Needs: RB, D-line, CB, S Ole Miss CB Trey Amos: Amos has good instincts around the ball and the press coverage skills needed to fit Brian Flores’ defensive scheme, which places cornerbacks on an island most of the time.
25.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Kiffin often schemed open the first read, and Dart operated almost entirely out of the shotgun.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
That is complicit with scheming orchestrated by politicized bureaucrats.
—Jack Fowler, National Review, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scheme. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scheme
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
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