plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end.
plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.
plans for a house
design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.
a design for a new dress
plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.
the plot of the play
scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.
a scheme to defraud the government
project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.
a project to develop the waterfront
Example Sentences
Noun an ambitious project to develop the city's waterfront Verb He projected next year's costs as being slightly higher than this year's. It's difficult to project funding needs so far into the future. an athlete who projects a positive image to young people We need an actor who projects a tough-guy image.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Brie Larson is opening up about the lasting impact of her latest project. Scott Huver, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2022 Cuyahoga County has approved spending an additional $744,000 to extend two consultant contracts for its controversial jail project, reports Lucas Daprile. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 The European Space Agency is launching its first debris removal project in 2025. Moriba Jah, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 In 2019, Phillips, serving as an historical architect for the National Park Service, spearheaded its restoration project in California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park. Hannah Kingsley-ma, The New Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 First Lie Wins marks her first project for a streamer. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2022 US Capital is seeking annexation into Carpentersville after having had their project rejected by the village of West Dundee. Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 As part of his long-term project, Seid has shown a particular interest in shaping colleges and universities. Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2022 My senior project was working as a line cook in Hudson, Wis. at the San Pedro Cafe. Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022
Verb
Stover could be part of that as a guy that could develop into a safety or a linebacker making the Bandit Safety role a solid position to project as in Knowles’ scheme. Stephen Means, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 The monarchy’s willingness to use the media to project its influence also brought the royal family into conflict with Britain’s fiercely competitive tabloid newspapers, which began publishing candid and sometimes unflattering pictures of them. James Hookway, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 And the desire to project U.S. military primacy at all costs led to arms races, militarism, and questionable commitments abroad. Blaise Malley, The New Republic, 1 Sep. 2022 Every year, Russia holds a military exhibition to project strength to its citizens and the world.Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 Whether through nature or nurture, both of my parents possess a deep, New England need to project that everything is fine, there’s nothing to worry about. Josh Gondelman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2022 Before that meeting, Xi will be keen to project an image of strength at home and abroad, particularly on the question of Taiwan. Mike Ives, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 Mission One and Only for Kliavkoff during Pac-12 football media day Friday at The Novo was to project strength and stability, in spite of USC and UCLA packing up the U-Haul for a move to the cash-flush Big Ten in 2024. Bryce Millercolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2022 This institution that aims to project an aura of stability is not beyond surprising us. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 24 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English projecte, from Medieval Latin projectum, from Latin, neuter of projectus, past participle of proicere to throw forward, from pro- + jacere to throw — more at jet
Verb
Anglo-French projecter, from Latin projectus, past participle