Definitions for pyramid scheme
pyra·mid scheme

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pyramid schemenoun

   a fraudulent scheme in which people are recruited to make payments to the person who recruited them while expecting to receive payments from the persons they recruit; when the number of new recruits fails to sustain the hierarchical payment structure the scheme collapses with most of the participants losing the money they put in

WiktionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. pyramid schemenoun

   An illicit money-making investment scheme whereby early investors are paid primarily or wholly by later investors. Eventually all such schemes fail to the detriment of recent (later) investors.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Pyramid scheme

   A pyramid scheme is a business model that recruits members via a promise of payments or services for enrolling others into the scheme, rather than supplying investments or sale of products. As recruiting multiplies, recruiting becomes quickly impossible, and most members are unable to profit; as such, pyramid schemes are unsustainable and often illegal. Pyramid schemes have existed for at least a century in different guises. Some multi-level marketing plans have been classified as pyramid schemes.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pyramid scheme

   A pyramid scheme is a fraudulent investment strategy, illegal in most places, where each participating member is promised high rates of return with little risk. The scheme relies on having a constant inflow of new participants who contribute new funds. These funds are then used to provide returns to earlier participants. Earnings are paid not from any actual investment or profit, but from the funds provided by new participants. The structure forms a pyramid shape as it continues to grow, becoming unsustainable since it requires an ever-growing pool of new participants to keep going. Once new investments slow down, the scheme collapses as there aren't enough funds to distribute to members.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Pyramid scheme

   A pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products or services to the public. Various forms of pyramid schemes are illegal in many countries including Albania, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These types of schemes have existed for at least a century, some with variations to hide their true nature, and because of this, many people believe that all multilevel marketing plans are also pyramid schemes.

Matched Categories

1. • Scheme

How to pronounce pyramid scheme?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say pyramid scheme in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of pyramid scheme in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of pyramid scheme in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of pyramid scheme in a Sentence

1. Timo Soini:

   We need a 'Grexit', there are no easy solutions, but if Greece continues in the euro, it means more aid packages and the pyramid scheme continues.

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=pyramid scheme
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Pyramid_Scheme
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_Scheme
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=pyramid scheme