A scheme is a plan or organized system for doing something, though it can mean different things depending on how it's used.

In everyday American English, a scheme often suggests a sneaky or dishonest plan. When cartoon villains huddle together scheming, they're plotting something underhanded. A get-rich-quick scheme promises easy money but usually tricks people out of their savings. If your friend accuses you of scheming to get out of chores, they think you're being crafty rather than straightforward.

However, scheme can also mean a legitimate, well-organized plan or system. In British English especially, people use it this way more often. A color scheme is simply the combination of colors chosen for a room or artwork. A pension scheme is an organized retirement savings plan. Scientists might describe the classification scheme they use to organize information.

Context usually makes clear which meaning applies: if someone announces their exciting new scheme at a PTA meeting, they probably mean a constructive plan. If they whisper about a scheme in a dark corner, you might want to watch your wallet.