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scheme

n. · v.
US //ˈskim// UK //skˈiːm// scheme
  1. 1 an official plan (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    an official plan or system for doing or organizing something.

    a systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular theory into effect.

    Example

    The government introduced a new scheme to help young people buy their first home.

    Example

    The local council launched a comprehensive recycling scheme aimed at reducing landfill waste by forty percent over the next decade.

    Usage

    Commonly used in British English where American English might prefer 'program' or 'plan'.
  2. 2 a dishonest plot (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a secret and often dishonest plan to get something for yourself.

    a clandestine or devious method of obtaining an advantage; a plot.

    Example

    He was arrested for his part in a scheme to steal money from the company.

    Example

    The investigators uncovered a complex fraudulent scheme involving offshore accounts and shell companies designed to evade federal taxes.
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  1. 3 an arrangement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    the way that things are arranged in a system.

    an orderly combination or arrangement of related parts or elements.

    Example

    The designer chose a bright color scheme for the new office.

    Example

    The rhyming scheme of the sonnet follows a traditional pattern that emphasizes the shift in tone during the final couplet.
  2. 4 housing estate (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Dialect

    a large group of houses built by the local government.

    a public housing estate, typically consisting of low-income or social housing.

    Example

    He grew up on a large housing scheme on the edge of the city.

    Example

    The documentary explores the social challenges faced by residents living in the post-war schemes of Glasgow.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage is specifically associated with Scotland and parts of Northern England.
  3. 5 URI protocol (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

    the part of a web address that tells the computer which protocol to use, like 'http'.

    the initial component of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) that specifies the protocol or mechanism for accessing a resource.

    Example

    The 'https' scheme indicates that the connection to the website is secure.

    Example

    When parsing the URL, the application first identifies the scheme to determine which handler should process the request.
  4. 6 to plot (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make secret or dishonest plans.

    to make clandestine or devious plans, often with the intent to deceive or gain an unfair advantage.

    Example

    They were scheming to take over the business while the owner was away.

    Example

    The rival factions spent months scheming against one another, each attempting to secure the majority vote before the annual general meeting.

    Usage

    Often used with 'to' followed by an infinitive, or with 'against'.
Origin

From late Middle English scheame, from Medieval Latin schēma (“figure, form”), from Ancient Greek σχῆμα (skhêma, “form, shape”), from ἔχω (ékhō, “I hold”). Doublet of schema. Compare sketch.

Idioms1 entry

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