A schemer is someone who makes secret or sneaky plans to get what they want, often in ways that aren't quite honest or fair. When you call someone a schemer, you're saying they plot and calculate behind the scenes rather than being straightforward about their intentions.

Picture a student who pretends to be sick so they can stay home from school, then spends the day playing video games. Or imagine someone who flatters the teacher constantly, not because they genuinely appreciate the teacher, but because they want special treatment. These are the kinds of calculated, self-serving plans that schemers make.

The word carries a negative feeling. A schemer makes plans that usually involve manipulation or deception, using cleverness for selfish purposes. In stories, scheming villains plot elaborate traps for the heroes, always working several steps ahead and keeping their true motives hidden.

You might hear someone described as a scheming politician who makes secret deals, or a scheming character in a novel who whispers lies to turn friends against each other. When someone is scheming, they're actively cooking up one of these sneaky plans. The word suggests cleverness twisted toward selfish or dishonest ends, rather than used for good.