Words / B2

SKEEM/skiːm/

In British English a scheme is often an official organised plan: a pension / recycling / training scheme. In American English scheme can suggest a dishonest plot — a useful register warning. Colour scheme and rhyme scheme are other set uses; plan is more general, and programme (British) is close for public projects.

Meaning

An official plan or system for doing something.

Examples

• “The city has a recycling scheme.”
• “Staff can join the company's cycle-to-work scheme.”
• “The colour scheme of the office is pale grey and blue.”

Good to know

UK: official plan (a housing scheme). US: can mean a dishonest plot. Also: colour scheme.

Near in meaning

plan

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