Schema vs. Scheme – What’s the Difference?

Hey there, I’ve got a brilliant scheme that’s going to make millions, do you want to get in on it?

No, I said “scheme” not “schema” – and what’s a “schema” anyway? Is it evil? Because my scheme is definitely evil. 

Schema vs. Scheme – What’s the Difference?

A “schema” is a more technical term and can refer to a structured outline of a plan, a representation of an idea, or the systems by which humans make categorizations. A “scheme” is an organized plan, particularly a plan that is somewhat dishonest and sneaky.

Though they are similar words, they are not the same and they mean different things.

A “schema” is a particular drawing or diagram that provides guidance with a plan or theory. Separately, it is used in philosophy to describe the rules humans create in their minds to place things into categories of understanding.

On the other hand, a “scheme” can be a sketch or outline but can also be any kind of plot. Though it is often used with negative connotations, it’s not always a negative word. This is one of those cases where context clues are important!

If you do happen to be coming up with a dastardly plot though, the best word for that is “scheme”.

If you’re creating a beautiful diagram to help explain your dastardly plot, that’s a “schema”.

Schema

A schema is a type of outline or guideline that supports a plan.

It is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as:

• A drawing that represents an idea or theory and makes it easier to understand

Other English dictionaries are less specific about a “schema” needing to be a drawing, with Merriam-Webster offering two definitions: 

1. A diagrammatic presentation, broadly: a structured framework or plan: outline
2. A mental codification of experience that includes a particular organized way of perceiving cognitively and responding to a complex situation or set of stimuli 

Basically, don’t get too hung up on the term “drawing”. They’re not saying a schema needs to have been physically drawn, they’re just emphasizing that it’s a visual thing. You can cross-stitch one if you want.

The second definition refers to a schema as it is used in Kantian philosophy. Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher who proposed a system by which humans categorize their feelings about the world around them.

Although there are a lot of long words being used in the definition, it essentially deals with the associations humans make. 

For example, whenever Sophie looks at a sofa it makes her cry. If we want to know why, we need to figure out the schema. What feelings has Sophie associated with the sofa? What experiences has she had that have led to these sofa-related tears?

Here are some examples of “schema” in a sentence:

• Can you define Kant’s transcendental schema for me as if I’m five, please?
• There’s a schema in the top right-hand corner of the page to help you solve these problems.
• Sorry, I can’t come; I’m drawing the schema for my evil plot tomorrow.
• Where did you leave the schema? 
• None of this is going to make sense without the schema. 

Scheme

A scheme is a type of plan, often (but not always) a slightly suspicious and sneaky plan.

It is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as:

1. An organized plan for doing something, especially something dishonest or illegal that will bring a good result for you
2. An officially organized plan or system

For the second definition, you might have heard phrases like “color scheme” or “marking scheme”. These things aren’t plans for something that will happen necessarily, but they’re things that have been planned and are now being stuck to.

Unlike “schema”, “scheme” can also be used as a verb to show that someone is in the process of plotting, for example:

• I’m going to go scheme now guys; see you at cross stitch club tomorrow.

Here are some more examples of how “scheme” can be used in a sentence.

• Sorry, I kind of want this evil scheme to be a solo project.
• I just got into cross-stitch to help with my scheme, but now I really love it!
• I’m not sure about the color scheme for this one, can you help?
• Those two are always going off to scheme together.
• You can’t let your cross stitch distract you from this scheme!

Which Is Used the Most?

If we check the trusty Google Ngram Viewer, we can see that “scheme” is used much more often than “schema”. 

This has been a consistent pattern, with “scheme” having always been the more popular of the two by a very large margin.

However, “scheme” has been falling in popularity since the 2000s, while “schema” has been on the rise in recent years.

It still has a long way to go before overtaking, but never say never.

Final Thoughts

“Schema” is a more technical term than “scheme”. It refers to drawings or diagrams that provide a structured framework or outline of a plan. It is also a philosophical term referring to how categories are associated with emotion. A “scheme” is more generally an organized plan.