Plot — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈplät/

Meaning & Definition of Plot

Plot (noun)

  1. a small area of planted ground
  2. a small piece of land in a cemetery
  3. a measured piece of land, lot

Plot (verb)

  1. to make a plot, map, or plan of
  2. to mark or note on or as if on a map or chart
  3. to lay out in plots

Plot (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends

    "the Secret Service uncovered just in time a plot to assassinate the President"

    similar: conspiracy, design, intrigue, machination, scheme
    related: counterconspiracy, counterplot, frame-up, manipulation, subterfuge, trickery, artifice, contrivance, cover-up, dodge, draft, maneuver, stratagem, trick, cabal, confederacy, ring, game, gimmick, racket, ground plan, program, strategy, system, collusion, complicity, connivance, conniving, conspiration

  2. a small area of usually open land

    "grew vegetables in a little plot"

    similar: clearing, field, ground, lot, parcel, plat, tract
    related: common(s), croft (chiefly British), grass, green, greensward, lawn, glade, grassland, heath, heathland, lea, meadow, moor, pasture, pastureland

  3. a small piece of land that is developed or available for development

    "subdivided the old farm into plots for tract houses"

    similar: lot, parcel, plat, property, tract
    related: patch, frontage, lease, development, real estate

  4. the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work

    "wrote novels in which the plot was always subordinate to the characterizations"

    similar: action, story, story line
    related: subplot, arc, development, design, outline, plan, scheme, argument, mythos, subject, theme

Plot (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends

    "mobsters were caught plotting to take over the company"

    similar: collude, compass, connive, conspire, contrive, intrigue, machinate, put up, scheme
    related: counterplot, brew, concoct, cook (up), devise, hatch, engineer, jockey, maneuver, manipulate, design, frame, lay out, map, plan, shape

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Plot

The most common words with a similar meaning to Plot:

conspiracy, design, intrigue, machination, scheme, clearing, field, ground, lot, parcel, plat, tract, property, action, story, story line, collude, compass, connive, conspire, contrive, machinate, put up

Related Words for Plot

counterconspiracy, counterplot, frame-up, manipulation, subterfuge, trickery, artifice, contrivance, cover-up, dodge, draft, maneuver, stratagem, trick, cabal, confederacy, ring, game, gimmick, racket, ground plan, program, strategy, system, collusion, complicity, connivance, conniving, conspiration, common(s)

Word Forms of Plot

Inflections: plotted, plotting

Derived words: plotless (adjective), plotlessness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Plot

Middle English, from Old English

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Plot

Words & Phrases Containing Plot

plot armor, lose the plot, burial plot, hatch a plot, the plot thickens

Frequently Asked Questions about Plot

What does "Plot" mean?

"Plot" means a small area of planted ground. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a small area of planted ground. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Plot"?

Other words for "Plot" include conspiracy, design, intrigue, machination, scheme, clearing, field and ground. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Plot" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Plot"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Plot". Common alternatives include conspiracy, design, intrigue, machination, scheme, clearing, field, ground, lot and parcel.

How do you use "Plot" in a sentence?

Examples of "Plot" in a sentence: "the Secret Service uncovered just in time a plot to assassinate the President"; "grew vegetables in a little plot"; "subdivided the old farm into plots for tract houses".

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

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

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

As a B1-level word, "Plot" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Plot"?

"Plot" is pronounced /ˈplät/.

What is the origin of the word "Plot"?

"Plot" comes from Middle English, from Old English. First known use: before 12th century.