set

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/sɛt/
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A compact but wide-ranging word for putting something in place, fixing a value or plan, making things ready or firm, and naming grouped things, performances, scenery, sports divisions, devices, and ready or fixed states.
Practice using set in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • His set opinions rarely soften.
  • The festival gave each act a short set.
  • The sun sets late in summer.
  • The jeweller set the diamond in platinum.
  • The school had a sporty set and a theatre set.

Similar words

backdrop
segment
stage
fixed
permanent
collection
determined
locate
group
determine

Meanings

Put in a place

verb
everyday
neutral
To put someone or something in a chosen position or place.

Examples

  • She set the vase on the windowsill.
  • He set the ladder against the wall.
  • The nurse set the tray beside the bed.
  • I set my bag down near the door.
  • They set the statue in the garden.

Similar words

place
put
position
lay
rest

Arrange or prepare

verb
everyday
neutral
To arrange something so it is ready for use, action, or display.

Examples

  • Could someone set the table for dinner?
  • The crew set the stage before the actors arrived.
  • Rangers set a trap near the river.
  • The designer set the text in a larger font.
  • She set her hair before the ceremony.

Similar words

arrange
prepare
lay
ready
stage

Decide or establish

verb
business
neutral
To fix a date, price, rule, limit, standard, or record so others treat it as settled.

Examples

  • The committee set the rules for the contest.
  • They set the wedding date for June.
  • The store set the price too high.
  • Her jump set a new school record.
  • The court set bail at ten thousand dollars.

Similar words

establish
fix
decide
determine
schedule
appoint

Adjust or assign

verb
technology
neutral
To choose a value, level, option, or setting for a device, program, variable, or control.

Examples

  • She set the alarm for 6 am.
  • The app sets the language automatically.
  • Please set the volume to a lower level.
  • The script sets the variable to true.
  • He set the thermostat at 20 degrees.

Similar words

adjust
configure
assign
specify
define
select

Cause a state or action

verb
change
neutral
To make someone or something enter a particular state, start a process, or move into action.

Examples

  • The judge set the prisoner free.
  • A small spark set the curtains on fire.
  • Her speech set the plan in motion.
  • The news set everyone thinking.
  • One careless remark set the brothers against each other.

Similar words

make
cause
start
trigger
release
incite

Become firm or permanent

verb
physical
neutral
To become firm, solid, joined, or permanent, or to make something do so.

Examples

  • The concrete set overnight.
  • Let the jelly set before serving it.
  • The doctor set the broken bone.
  • Heat helps the dye set in the fabric.
  • The glue sets in about ten minutes.

Similar words

harden
solidify
firm
fix
congeal
cure

Go below the horizon

verb
nature
neutral
To move down until hidden below the horizon, as the sun or moon does.

Examples

  • The sun sets late in summer.
  • We watched the moon set over the sea.
  • By the time the sun had set, the air was cold.
  • The planet sets just after midnight.
  • Clouds covered the sky before the sun set.

Similar words

sink
descend
go down
dip
disappear

Locate a story

verb
arts
neutral
To place the events of a story, film, play, or game in a particular time or place.

Examples

  • The novel is set in Lagos.
  • The film was set during the 1920s.
  • They set the play in a small fishing village.
  • The game is set on a distant planet.
  • A comedy set in an office can still feel fresh.

Similar words

locate
place
situate
stage

Fix into a surround

verb
craft
neutral
To fasten a stone, jewel, or similar object into a surrounding holder.

Examples

  • The jeweller set the diamond in platinum.
  • Her bracelet is set with tiny emeralds.
  • They set the stone deep into the ring.
  • A silver frame sets off the blue glass.
  • The crown was set with pearls.

Similar words

mount
embed
fix
inlay
stud

Group or collection

noun
everyday
neutral
A number of things treated as one group, especially because they belong together or share a rule.

Examples

  • She bought a set of dishes.
  • The puzzle has a set of rules.
  • In maths, a set can contain numbers or points.
  • The software exports a data set each night.
  • A spare set of keys is in the drawer.

Similar words

group
collection
assortment
array
batch
kit

Stage or film scenery

noun
entertainment
neutral
The scenery, props, and built space used for a play, film, television show, or photo shoot.

Examples

  • The set looked like a Victorian kitchen.
  • The crew moved the set between scenes.
  • No visitors were allowed on set during filming.
  • The theatre built a new set for the musical.
  • Lighting changed the mood of the set.

Similar words

scenery
backdrop
stage
location
set design

Division of a match

noun
sports
neutral
A scored part of a match, especially in tennis, volleyball, badminton, and similar sports.

Examples

  • She won the first set 6 to 4.
  • The match went to a deciding set.
  • Our volleyball team lost the opening set.
  • He served better in the second set.
  • A tie-break decided the set.

Similar words

round
game
division
segment

Performance session

noun
music
neutral
A continuous part of a concert, comedy show, or DJ performance, or the pieces performed in that part.

Examples

  • The band played a forty-minute set.
  • The DJ closed the night with a dance set.
  • Her comedy set got the biggest laughs.
  • They added two new songs to the set.
  • The festival gave each act a short set.

Similar words

session
performance
routine
playlist
act

Social group

noun
society
neutral
A group of people linked by shared interests, status, habits, or social life.

Examples

  • She moved in an artistic set.
  • The jet set gathered at the resort.
  • He felt out of place among that political set.
  • The school had a sporty set and a theatre set.
  • Their social set met every Friday.

Similar words

circle
crowd
group
clique
scene

Receiving device

noun
technology
neutral
A device that receives or displays broadcasts, especially a television or radio.

Examples

  • The old television set still works.
  • A radio set crackled in the corner.
  • They carried the portable set into the garden.
  • The repair shop fixed our TV set.
  • The broadcast came through clearly on the set.

Similar words

receiver
television
radio
unit
device

Exercise repetitions

noun
fitness
neutral
A group of repeated movements done together as one part of an exercise routine.

Examples

  • Do three sets of ten squats.
  • He rested between each set.
  • The trainer added another set of lunges.
  • Her final set felt much harder.
  • Start with two sets of push-ups.

Similar words

round
series
block
cycle

Fixed or ready

adjective
everyday
neutral
Fixed, scheduled, prepared, or needing nothing more.

Examples

  • The meeting is set for Monday.
  • Dinner is ready and the table is set.
  • The price is set by law.
  • We are all set for the trip.
  • Her schedule is set until August.

Similar words

fixed
scheduled
ready
prepared
settled
arranged

Determined or unchanging

adjective
personality
neutral
Firm in attitude, expression, habit, or intention, often in a way that is hard to change.

Examples

  • He is set in his ways.
  • She had a set expression on her face.
  • They are set on moving abroad.
  • His set opinions rarely soften.
  • The dog watched us with a set stare.

Similar words

determined
fixed
firm
stubborn
unchanging
intent

Hardened or permanent

adjective
physical
neutral
Firm, solid, joined, or permanent after drying, cooling, healing, or chemical change.

Examples

  • The set jelly held its shape.
  • Do not touch the set plaster.
  • The set dye should not wash out.
  • Her set jaw showed determination.
  • The set glue made the joint strong.

Similar words

hardened
solid
firm
fixed
cured
permanent

Etymology

From Middle English setten, from Old English settan, meaning to place or cause to sit, related to sit.

FAQ

What is the past tense of set?

The past tense of set is set, not setted. The past participle is also set.

What does set mean as a verb?

As a verb, set can mean put in place, arrange, decide, adjust, cause a state, become firm, go below the horizon, locate a story, or fix a gem in place.

What does set mean as a noun?

As a noun, set can mean a group, a mathematical collection, stage scenery, a sports division, a performance session, a social circle, a receiver device, or exercise repetitions.

What does set mean as an adjective?

As an adjective, set means fixed, scheduled, ready, determined, unchanging, hardened, or permanent.

Is setted ever correct?

setted is not the standard past tense of set. It appears only in rare technical or dialect uses outside ordinary English.

What is the difference between set and sit?

set usually takes an object, as in set the cup down. sit usually means rest in a seated position, as in sit on the chair.

What is a set in mathematics?

In mathematics, a set is a collection of distinct elements, such as numbers, points, or other objects.

What does all set mean?

all set means ready, prepared, or needing nothing more, as in We are all set to leave.

Why is set so hard to define?

set is very old and has developed many linked uses around placing, fixing, arranging, grouping, and becoming ready or firm.

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