Meaning & use
schematic
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Meanings
nouncountabletechnical
A simple drawing that uses symbols to show how the parts of a system, such as electronics, are connected.
Grammar: Usually refers to a diagram: read the schematic, study the circuit schematic.
Patterns
- the schematic of something
- a schematic for something
The technician studied the schematic before touching the circuit.
Each page of the manual includes a schematic of the engine.
He drew a schematic of the plumbing for the new bathroom.
adjectivecomparableformal
Showing the main structure of something in a simplified way, without every realistic detail.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: a schematic diagram; the plan is schematic.
Patterns
- a schematic diagram
- be schematic
The map is only schematic and not drawn to scale.
She sketched a schematic outline of the plot.
The training manual provides a schematic overview of the process.
Word forms
| plural | schematics |
|---|---|
| comparative | more schematic |
| superlative | most schematic |
Common combinations
- circuit schematic
- The repair guide includes a circuit schematic.
- schematic diagram
- Draw a schematic diagram of the water cycle.
- wiring schematic
- Follow the wiring schematic carefully.
- read a schematic
- Electricians must be able to read a schematic.
- schematic view
- The page gives a schematic view of the building.
Synonyms and how they differ
- diagram
- Diagram is the general word for a drawing that explains something, while a schematic uses symbols to show connections.
- blueprint
- A blueprint is a detailed technical plan for building something, while a schematic shows how parts connect.
- outline
- Outline is a general sketch of the main points, and need not use symbols like a schematic does.
- plan
- Plan can mean any arrangement or drawing of layout, while schematic is a technical drawing of connections.
Opposites
Word family
- scheme noun
- a plan or system
- schematically adverb
- in a simplified way showing structure
- schematize verb
- to present in a simplified diagram
- schema noun
- an outline or underlying structure
Commonly confused: schematic or schema?
schematic vs schema
A schema is an underlying structure or framework, such as the layout of a database. A schematic is a drawing that shows the structure.
Practice
The electrician checked the ___ to see how the switches were wired together.
Choose one answer.
A schematic is a symbol-based diagram of how parts connect. A scheme is a plan and a schedule is a timetable, so neither shows wiring.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “schematic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.