plot

1 of 2

noun

ˈplät 

1

a

: a small area of planted ground

a vegetable plot

b

: a small piece of land in a cemetery

c

: a measured piece of land : lot

2

: ground plan, plat

3

: the plan or main story (as of a movie or literary work)

4

[perhaps back-formation from complot] : a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end : intrigue

5

: a graphic representation (such as a chart)

plotless

ˈplät-ləs 

adjective

plotlessness noun

plot

2 of 2

verb

ˈplät 

plotted; plotting

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a plot, map, or plan of

b

: to mark or note on or as if on a map or chart

2

: to lay out in plots (see plot entry 1 sense 1)

3

a

: to locate (a point) by means of coordinates

b

: to locate (a curve) by plotted points

c

: to represent (an equation) by means of a curve so constructed

4

: to plan or contrive especially secretly

5

: to invent or devise the plot of (something, such as a movie or a literary work)

intransitive verb

1

: to form a plot : scheme

2

: to be located by means of coordinates

the data plot at a single point

Synonyms

Noun

• conspiracy
• design
• intrigue
• machination
• scheme

Verb

• collude
• compass
• connive
• conspire
• contrive
• intrigue
• machinate
• put up
• scheme

Choose the Right Synonym for plot

plot, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end.

plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

synonyms see in addition plan

Examples of plot in a Sentence

Noun

Her books are page-turners, and yet there is more going on in them than just the mechanics of a clever plot … —Robin McKinley, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1987

… as he stood before the great dripping department store which now occupied the big plot of ground where once had stood both the Amberson Hotel and the Amberson Opera House. —Booth Tarkington, The Magnificent Ambersons, 1918

When I returned with the pistol the table had been cleared, and Holmes was engaged in his favourite occupation of scraping upon his violin. "The plot thickens," he said, as I entered … —Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet, 1887

The plots are selling for $15,000 per acre.

They just bought a 12-acre plot of land.

The book's plot revolves around a woman who is searching for her missing sister.

The movie has a weak plot.

Police uncovered a plot to assassinate the prime minister.

The prime minister was the target of an assassination plot.

Verb

While men plotted wars or devised philosophies, women were confined within their homes … —Barbara Ehrenreich, Ms., Winter 2007

Would-be nation builders plotted Italy's unification from the south and the north. —David Van Biema, Time, 4 Sept. 2000

They plotted to steal the painting.

She spent her years in prison plotting her revenge.

We've been plotting growth strategies for the company.

She carefully plotted her career path.

They've plotted the locations where the trees will be planted.

Have you plotted the route for your trip yet?

Students plotted soil temperatures on a graph throughout the school year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The only way to do that seeming contradiction is to take more time, and fill that time with less plot. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

From the multi-front war on Israel to the plots to assassinate President-elect Trump, the Iranian dictatorship is fundamentally incompatible with global peace and security. —Daniel Twining, National Review, 30 Nov. 2024

Verb

They are inspired by the real-life radical leader Robert Jay Mathews, played by Nicholas Hoult, and are plotting a war against the U.S. government. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 1 Dec. 2024

Soon, the two were plotting their second collaboration, which began with the major challenge of adapting the Beat Generation writer for the screen — a feat only undertaken a few times. —Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing plot

• burial plot
• hatch a plot
• lose the plot
• the plot thickens

Kids Definition

plot

1 of 2 noun

ˈplät 

1

: a small area of ground : lot

a cemetery plot

2

: a plan of a floor of a building

3

: the main story (as of a literary work or movie)

4

: an evil or unlawful scheme

5

: diagram entry 1, chart

plot

2 of 2 verb

plotted; plotting

1

a

: to make a plot, map, or plan of

b

: to mark, note, or locate on a map or chart

plot a ship's position

2

: to plan especially secretly : scheme

3

a

: to locate and mark (a point) by means of coordinates

b

: to make (a curve) by marking out a number of plotted points

plotter noun