scheme
gb/skˈim/ us/skˈim/
B1
English
~ 700
program, rendszer, terv, rossz szándékú terv, csalás, összeesküvés, mesterkedik, tervet sző, összeesküszik, színvilág, színséma, színösszeállítás
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
a scheme to [do something]
The government announced a new scheme to support small businesses.
A kormány új programot jelentett be a kisvállalkozások támogatására.
The training scheme will help employees learn new skills.
A képzési program segít majd az alkalmazottaknak új készségeket elsajátítani.
We joined a recycling scheme in our neighborhood.
The pension scheme offers benefits after retirement.
They launched a pilot scheme to test the new service.
Learner examples
The school started a reading scheme.
Az iskola olvasási programot indított.
Our town has a plan to clean the river.
A városunknak van egy terve a folyó megtisztítására.
The company has a training scheme for workers.
She joined a health scheme.
The bank offers a savings scheme.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'scheme' always means something dishonest. In British English, it can also mean an honest, official plan.
Meaning
A detailed plan or arrangement
Collocations
government scheme
|training scheme
|pension scheme
|marketing scheme
|pilot scheme
Synonyms
plan (More general and common; 'scheme' can imply more structure or official organization.)
Antonyms
disorganization (Lack of an organized or systematic plan.)
Themes
business
|politics
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A plan to do something, often with many steps.
A systematic and often detailed plan of action designed to achieve a particular aim.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a scheme to [do something dishonest]
The police uncovered a scheme to steal customer data.
A rendőrség leleplezett egy ügyféladatok ellopására irányuló tervet.
He was part of a fraudulent investment scheme.
Egy befektetési csalás részese volt.
They devised an elaborate scheme to evade taxes.
The scam was just another get-rich-quick scheme.
Her enemies hatched a scheme to ruin her reputation.
Learner examples
They made a plan to steal money.
Tervet szőttek a pénz ellopására.
The police found the bad plan.
A rendőrség leleplezte a rossz tervet.
He was in a trick to get money.
It was a plan to cheat people.
She made a secret plan to lie.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize in American English 'scheme' is often negative, while in British English it can be neutral or positive.
Meaning
A secret or dishonest plan
Collocations
fraudulent scheme
|illegal scheme
|Ponzi scheme
|criminal scheme
Synonyms
plot (Often used for secret or harmful plans; can be less formal.)
Antonyms
honesty (Represents openness and fairness, opposite of deceit.)
Themes
crime
|business
|relationships
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A plan to cheat or trick people.
A plan, especially one that is secret or dishonest, designed to achieve an advantage or harm others.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to scheme [to do something]
They were scheming to take control of the company.
Azon mesterkedtek, hogy megszerezzék az irányítást a vállalat felett.
She spent months scheming against her rival.
Hónapokig mesterkedett a riválisa ellen.
The brothers schemed to hide the truth from their parents.
He was caught scheming with corrupt officials.
They schemed in secret meetings late at night.
Learner examples
They plan to take the money.
Azon mesterkednek, hogy megszerezzék a pénzt.
She makes a bad plan for her friend.
Rossz tervet sző a barátja ellen.
They meet to make a secret plan.
He plans to hurt his boss.
They talk about a bad plan.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'scheme' (verb) with 'plan' (neutral); in verb form it is usually negative.
Meaning
To make secret/dishonest plans
Collocations
scheme against someone
|scheme to gain power
|secretly scheme
Synonyms
conspire (Implies working together secretly, often for illegal purposes.)
Antonyms
cooperate (Work openly and honestly with others.)
Themes
crime
|relationships
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To plan secretly, often to do something bad.
To make plans, especially in a secret or dishonest way, to achieve something.
NOUN
B1
4
The room’s color scheme is calming and modern.
A szoba színvilága nyugtató és modern.
We chose a blue-and-white scheme for the wedding decorations.
Kék-fehér színösszeállítást választottunk az esküvői dekorációhoz.
The website uses a simple design scheme for easy navigation.
Her dress matched the event's color scheme perfectly.
Learner examples
The room has a red and white color scheme.
A szobának piros-fehér a színvilága.
I like the blue color scheme of the shop.
Tetszik az üzlet kék színvilága.
The website has a nice color scheme.
We picked a green and yellow color scheme.
Meaning
An arrangement in design or pattern
Collocations
color scheme
|decorative scheme
|design scheme
Synonyms
pattern (Can refer more generally to repetition; 'scheme' implies intentional design.)
Antonyms
randomness (Lack of planned arrangement or order.)
Themes
art
|design
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A planned way that colors or shapes are used together in design.
A planned arrangement of colors, shapes, or elements in art, decoration, or other design contexts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
scheme
IPA
GB/skˈim/
US/skˈim/
Syllables & stress
scheme (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (scheme)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: scheme
- Plural: schemes
Verb
- Base: scheme
- 3rd Person Singular: schemes
- Present Participle: scheming
- Past: schemed
Word family
Forms
schemes
noun
scheming
verb
schemed
verb
Related words
schemer
noun
Advanced or less common
schematic
adjective
schematically
adverb
Expressions
color scheme
1/kˈʌlɚ skˈim/
fixed phrase
Planned combination of colors
A set of colors chosen to look nice together in design or art.
Examples
- The kitchen's color scheme is light and airy.
- We need to decide on a color scheme for the website.
pension scheme
1/pˈɛnʃən skˈim/
fixed phrase
Retirement income system
A program that gives money to people after they stop working because of age or illness.
Examples
- He joined the company's pension scheme at age 25.
- The pension scheme provides benefits after retirement.
Ponzi scheme
1/pˈɑnzi skˈim/
fixed phrase
Fraudulent investment scam
A way of cheating people by paying old investors with money from new investors, not from real profit.
Examples
- He lost all his savings in a Ponzi scheme.
- Authorities uncovered a massive Ponzi scheme involving thousands of victims.
training scheme
1/tɹˈeɪnɪŋ skˈim/
fixed phrase
Organized skill training program
A plan made by a company or school to teach skills or knowledge to people.
Examples
- The training scheme helps young people find jobs.
- We have a training scheme for new employees.