Plan — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈplan/

Meaning & Definition of Plan

Plan (noun)

  1. a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane
  2. a top or horizontal view of an object
  3. a large-scale map of a small area

Plan (verb)

  1. to arrange the parts of, design
  2. to devise or project the realization or achievement of
  3. to have in mind, intend

Plan (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

    "there is a contingency plan in the office for handling almost any emergency"

    similar: arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, program, project, road map, scheme, strategy, system
    related: collusion, conspiracy, plot, contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, counterplan, counterstrategy, means, tactic, technique, way, procedure, protocol, conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s), aim, intent, intention, purpose, diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup

  2. something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

    "our plan is to finish up by next Friday"

    similar: aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, name of the game
    related: grail, holy grail, plot, project, scheme, desire, hope, mind, wish, nirvana, destination, terminus
    near: means, method, way

Plan (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to work out the details of (something) in advance

    "we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail"

    similar: arrange, blueprint, budget, calculate, chart, choreograph, design, frame, lay out, map (out), organize, prepare, project, scheme (out), shape, strategize (about)
    related: conspire, contrive, devise, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up, concert, get up, draft, outline, sketch, aim, figure, have on, intend, mean, contemplate, meditate, premeditate

  2. to have in mind as a purpose or goal

    "I plan to have a party for my birthday, even if I have to throw it myself"

    similar: aim, allow (chiefly Southern & Midland), aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, go (chiefly Southern & Midland), intend, look, mean, meditate, propose, purport, purpose, figure on
    related: dream, hope, wish, consider, debate, mull (over), ponder, attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try, plot, scheme, accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform

Related Entry: Game plan (noun)

Game plan is a different word from Plan. The synonyms below are for game plan, not for plan.

  1. a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

    "what's our game plan for touring the city?"

    similar: arrangement, blueprint, design, game, ground plan, master plan, plan, program, project, road map, scheme, strategy, system
    related: collusion, conspiracy, plot, contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, counterplan, counterstrategy, means, tactic, technique, way, procedure, protocol, conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s), aim, intent, intention, purpose, diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup

Related Entry: Ground plan (noun)

Ground plan is a different word from Plan. The synonyms below are for ground plan, not for plan.

  1. a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

    "their ground plan is first to finish college and then get married"

    similar: arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, master plan, plan, program, project, road map, scheme, strategy, system
    related: collusion, conspiracy, plot, contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, counterplan, counterstrategy, means, tactic, technique, way, procedure, protocol, conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s), aim, intent, intention, purpose, diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup

Related Entry: Master plan (noun)

Master plan is a different word from Plan. The synonyms below are for master plan, not for plan.

  1. a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

    "my neighbor assured me that the wisdom of his master plan for his yard would be apparent once everything was finished"

    similar: arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, plan, program, project, road map, scheme, strategy, system
    related: collusion, conspiracy, plot, contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, counterplan, counterstrategy, means, tactic, technique, way, procedure, protocol, conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s), aim, intent, intention, purpose, diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup

Related Entry: Installment plan (noun)

Installment plan is a different word from Plan. The synonyms below are for installment plan, not for plan.

  1. a way of paying for something by making a series of small payments over a long time

    "We used an installment plan to buy the furniture."

    similar: layaway, trust, charge account, credit, credit line

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Plan

The most common words with a similar meaning to Plan:

Chiefly Southern & Midland: allow, go
arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, program, project, road map, scheme, strategy, system, aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, name of the game, arrange, budget, calculate, chart, choreograph, frame

Related Words for Plan

collusion, conspiracy, plot, contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, counterplan, counterstrategy, means, tactic, technique, way, procedure, protocol, conception, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s), diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform

Near Antonyms of Plan

means, method, way

Word Forms of Plan

Inflections: planned, planning

Derived words: planless (adjective), planlessly (adverb), planlessness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Plan

French, plane, foundation, ground plan; partly from Latin planum level ground, from neuter of planus level; partly from French planter to plant, fix in place, from Late Latin plantare floor, plant

First known use: 1635

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Plan

Words & Phrases Containing Plan

plan-, plan B, plan position indicator, plan of action, plan of attack, American plan, commission plan, European plan

Frequently Asked Questions about Plan

What does "Plan" mean?

"Plan" means a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Plan"?

Other words for "Plan" include arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan and program. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Plan" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Plan"?

There are 128 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Plan". Common alternatives include arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, program, project and road map.

How do you use "Plan" in a sentence?

Examples of "Plan" in a sentence: "there is a contingency plan in the office for handling almost any emergency"; "our plan is to finish up by next Friday"; "we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail".

Is "Plan" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Plan" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Plan" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Plan" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Plan"?

"Plan" is pronounced /ˈplan/.

What is the origin of the word "Plan"?

"Plan" comes from French, plane, foundation, ground plan; partly from Latin planum level ground, from neuter of planus level; partly from French planter to plant, fix in place, from Late Latin plantare floor, plant. First known use: 1635.