schedule

schedule — noun

1. A written or printed plan that lists the tasks, events, or work items to be done

1.nounB1
Definition

A written or printed plan that lists the tasks, events, or work items to be done and states the target dates for completing each one.

Example

Kian checked his work schedule to find out when the next team meeting was.

work schedule / daily schedule — common nouns modified by schedule

The construction company posted a schedule showing when each stage of the building would be finished.

Common collocations
  • busy schedule
  • full schedule
  • daily schedule
  • work schedule
  • flexible schedule
  • tight schedule
  • light schedule
Synonyms
  • plan

    broader and less tied to fixed times than schedule

  • timetable

    more commonly used for regular, repeating events like classes in British English

  • agenda

    specifically a list of items to discuss in a meeting, not for daily tasks

  • itinerary

    a detailed schedule for a trip or journey

Common Mistakes

I have many schedules today.
I have a busy schedule today.
'schedule' refers to one organised plan for a period; for a single day, use the singular form.
My schedule is busy, so I cannot meet you.
My schedule is full, so I cannot meet you.
English speakers say 'a busy schedule' (noun phrase) but 'my schedule is full' (verb complement), not 'my schedule is busy.'

2. A list showing the fixed times at which regular events take place, such as class

2.nounB1
Definition

A list showing the fixed times at which regular events take place, such as classes at a school, departures of buses or trains, or television programmes being broadcast.

Example

The bus schedule says the number 42 arrives at this stop every 15 minutes.

bus schedule / train schedule / class schedule — transport & education

Andrés checked the train schedule before booking his ticket to Tainan.

Common collocations
  • bus schedule
  • train schedule
  • flight schedule
  • class schedule
  • TV schedule
  • exam schedule
Synonyms
  • timetable

    the preferred word in British English for transport and classes

  • program

    used for TV/radio schedules in both varieties

  • roster

    a schedule for people's work shifts or duties

Usage Note

In British English, 'timetable' is more widely used than 'schedule' for public transport and school classes. In American English, 'schedule' is the standard word for both contexts.

Common Mistakes

The train schedule said the train left at 8, so I arrived and it had already gone.
The train schedule said the train leaves at 8, so I arrived and it had already left.
Use present simple ('leaves') for scheduled future events, not past tense ('left').

3. An official written list of items such as prices, rates, fees, or conditions, of

3.nounB2
Definition

An official written list of items such as prices, rates, fees, or conditions, often included as part of a contract, catalogue, or legal document.

Example

The hotel's rate schedule shows different prices for weekdays and weekends.

rate schedule / fee schedule / price schedule — financial lists

The lawyer attached a schedule listing everything included in the sale of the house.

Common collocations
  • price schedule
  • fee schedule
  • rate schedule
  • payment schedule
  • tax schedule
  • delivery schedule
Synonyms
  • list

    more general, less formal than schedule

  • catalogue

    a systematic list of items, often with descriptions

  • table

    a structured list of data, especially prices or rates, arranged in rows and columns

Usage Note

Common in formal, legal, and financial contexts. Often used with nouns like 'fee,' 'price,' 'rate,' 'payment,' or 'tax' as modifiers.

Common Mistakes

I asked the waiter for the price schedule.
I asked the waiter for the price list.' or 'I asked the waiter for the menu.
'price schedule' is too formal for everyday restaurant situations; use 'menu' or 'price list.'

4. The state of being completed or happening earlier than the time that was origina

4.nounB2
Definition

The state of being completed or happening earlier than the time that was originally planned.

Example

The construction team finished the bridge two weeks ahead of schedule.

ahead of schedule — fixed prepositional phrase

Rohan submitted his report ahead of schedule and impressed his manager.

Common collocations
  • ahead of schedule
  • weeks ahead of schedule
  • months ahead of schedule
  • finish ahead of schedule
Synonyms
  • early

    simpler and more general; 'ahead of schedule' is specifically about meeting a plan's timeline

Antonyms

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'ahead of schedule,' which functions as an adverbial phrase describing completion earlier than planned.

Common Mistakes

I arrived ahead of the schedule.
I arrived ahead of schedule.
'schedule' in this fixed phrase is used without an article ('the' or 'a').

5. The state of happening or being done at the time that was originally planned, ne

5.nounB2
Definition

The state of happening or being done at the time that was originally planned, neither early nor late.

Example

Despite the heavy rain, the festival opening ceremony started right on schedule.

on schedule / right on schedule — fixed prepositional phrase with optional intensifier

The train from Taipei arrived on schedule at 3:15 PM.

Common collocations
  • on schedule
  • right on schedule
  • still on schedule
  • remain on schedule
  • keep on schedule
Synonyms
  • on time

    very similar but slightly broader; 'on schedule' emphasises following a plan

  • punctual

    used for people rather than for projects or events

Antonyms

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'on schedule,' which functions as an adverbial phrase. Often paired with 'right' for emphasis: 'right on schedule.'

6. The state of being later than planned or making slower progress than expected, s

6.nounB2
Definition

The state of being later than planned or making slower progress than expected, so that less work has been completed relative to the original deadline.

Example

The film crew fell behind schedule after three days of heavy rain.

fall behind schedule / run behind schedule — common verb pairings

Daichi realised he was behind schedule on his thesis when the deadline was only a month away.

Common collocations
  • behind schedule
  • fall behind schedule
  • run behind schedule
  • weeks behind schedule
  • months behind schedule
Synonyms
  • late

    simpler and more general; 'behind schedule' implies a planned timeline was missed

  • delayed

    focuses on the event being postponed rather than the work progressing slowly

Antonyms

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'behind schedule.' Commonly paired with the verbs 'fall' (fall behind schedule) or 'run' (run behind schedule) to describe the start of being late.

Common Mistakes

The project is behind of schedule.
The project is behind schedule.
No preposition 'of' is needed after 'behind.'

schedule — verb

Word family

  • scheduled
    adjectiveB2
  • reschedule
    verbB2
  • unscheduled
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Schedule, plan, timetable, agenda, and itinerary all refer to an organised list of things to do, but they differ in focus. A schedule is the most time-focused: it pairs activities with specific times or deadlines. A plan is broader and may have no fixed times at all — you can have a plan to improve your health without setting exact dates. A timetable is the preferred term in British English for fixed, repeating events like train departures or school classes. An agenda is a short, specific list of items to discuss in a single meeting. An itinerary is a detailed travel plan covering where you go and when, such as flights, hotels, and sightseeing stops. For example: 'My work schedule shows a meeting at 10 AM and a deadline at 5 PM.' vs. 'My plan for the year is to save money and travel more.' vs. 'The train timetable says the next departure is at 8:15 AM.' vs. 'The meeting agenda has three items: budget, staffing, and deadlines.' vs. 'Our travel itinerary includes two days in Tokyo and one day in Kyoto.'

plan ↗timetable ↗agenda ↗itinerary ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • schedule change
  • schedule conflict
  • schedule update

Adverbs

  • as scheduled
  • according to schedule

Phrases

  • on schedule
  • ahead of schedule
  • behind schedule
  • right on schedule
  • according to schedule
  • on a tight schedule

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'schedule' comes from the Latin 'schedula,' meaning a small slip or strip of paper. It passed through Old French as 'cedule' and entered English in the 1300s, originally referring to a written document or a slip of paper with notes. By the 1800s, it had developed its modern meaning: a written plan that shows when things will happen. The spelling with 'sch-' became standard in British English in the 1800s, though the pronunciation with 'sk' is now universal in American English while British English uses 'sh.'