Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

scheme

noun [C]
 
 
/skiːm/

Definition

B2 mainly UK an officially organized plan or system: a training/housing/play scheme a pension/savings scheme There's a new scheme in our town for recycling plastic bottles. Class sizes will increase under the new scheme.Planning, expecting and arrangingPlotting and trapping a plan for getting an advantage for yourself, especially by deceiving others: He's got a hare-brained/crazy/daft scheme for getting rich before he's 20.Plotting and trappingPlanning, expecting and arrangingCheating and tricking
(Definition of scheme noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“scheme” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

hold water

If a reason, argument or explanation holds water, it is true

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More