scheming — having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature; plotting secretly
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature; plotting secretly
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈskiːmɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- My scheming cat always pretends to be asleep when planning to knock things off the table.
- The scheming stepmother in fairy tales always gets caught in the end.
- His scheming smile gave away his secret plan to eat the last piece of pizza.
scheming
ADJECTIVE[/ˈskiːmɪŋ/]
having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature; plotting secretly
Secretly plotting and spying on colleagues
Scheming with steaming tea, until victims start screaming!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Ancient Greek 'schema' (meaning shape, form, or plan), the word originally carried a neutral sense of 'making a plan' or 'arranging.' Over time, it acquired a negative connotation, evolving to mean 'devising a cunning or deceitful plot.'
Breakdown
schema (Greek: shape, plan, arrangement) + -ing (English present participle suffix indicating ongoing action or process). The suffix transforms the noun into a gerund expressing the act of planning or plotting.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My scheming cat always pretends to be asleep when planning to knock things off the table.”
“The scheming stepmother in fairy tales always gets caught in the end.”
“His scheming smile gave away his secret plan to eat the last piece of pizza.”
“The detective suspected the scheming butler from the very beginning.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.