scheme

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An official plan or programme to achieve something.

   The government launched a new scheme to help first-time buyers.

2. 2
   noun

   A secret or dishonest plan to do something.

   The police uncovered a scheme to steal customers' bank details.

3. 3
   verb

   To make secret plans, especially to do something dishonest.

   They schemed to take control of the company.

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.

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