set

- definition

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Thesaurus

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verb

/set/

present tense
I/you/we/they	set
he/she/it	sets
present participle	setting
past tense	set
past participle	set

1
[transitive] to put someone or something in a position
set someone/something in/into/on/down/back etc.:
“Tea’s ready,” he told them and set down the tray.
She set the baby on the floor to play.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
1. a.
  [transitive] [usually passive] if something is set somewhere, it is in that place or position
  It’s a traditional resort hotel, set in the rolling hills of West Virginia.
  The bookcase was set into the wall.
  Our house is set back from the road.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
2. b.
  to put someone or something in a particular state
  The suspect has been accused of setting the restaurant on fire.
  set someone/something loose:
  Don’t set the dog loose.
  set someone/something free:
  The hostages have been set free after 34 days in captivity.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
2
[transitive] to make something happen, or to make someone do something
set someone/something doing something:
His mysterious phone calls were bound to set them wondering.
set something in motion:
That single photograph set his career as a photographer in motion.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
3
[transitive] to make a piece of equipment ready to operate
The bomb was set to go off at eight o’clock.
You can set it so that it does an automatic data backup at the end of each day.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
1. a.
  to change the time on a clock or the controls on a piece of equipment
  Can you help me set the VCR?
  set something at something:
  Set the thermostat at 68 degrees.
  set something for something:
  I’m setting the alarm for 6:30.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
4
[transitive] to decide when or where an event will happen
set a date/time (for something):
Have they set a date for the wedding?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
1. a.
  to decide the price or value of something
  They set the price of the house too high.
  The central bank is responsible for setting interest rates.
  Parents shouldn’t set too high a value on good grades.
  Bail was set at $50,000.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
5
[transitive] to establish a rule, standard, limit, etc. that people must follow
The agreement sets clear targets and timetables for the reduction of carbon emissions.
set rules/conditions/guidelines/limits/criteria (for something):
Opposition parties have set conditions for peace negotiations to begin.
set standards:
Their professor sets high standards and expects everyone to meet them.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
6
[transitive] to do something that influences the way that other things are done or the way that other people behave
set a tone/pattern/fashion/trend (for something):
Her opening remarks set the tone for the whole conference.
It was one of the shows that set the trend for “reality television.”
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
7
[transitive] to give something to someone to do or to achieve
set someone a goal/challenge/objective/task:
You’ll never get anywhere if you don’t set yourself any goals.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
1. a.
  British to give students work to do as part of a course of study
  set someone something:
  I’m going to set you all an essay for the weekend.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
2. b.
  British to produce questions or an examination paper for students to answer
  They set us an absolutely impossible paper.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
8
[transitive] [usually passive] to write or produce a play, book, movie, etc. that happens in a particular time or place
The film is set in 18th-century New England.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
9
[intransitive] when the sun sets, it goes below the horizon at the end of the day
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
10
[transitive] to put the two ends of a broken bone back into the correct position so that they can grow into one piece again
The doctor set my arm and put a cast on it.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
1. a.
  [intransitive] if a broken bone sets, the two ends of it grow into one piece again
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
11
[intransitive/transitive] if a liquid sets, or if you set it, it forms a solid substance
a type of concrete that sets in 15 minutes
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
12
[intransitive/transitive] if your face or a part of it sets into a particular expression, or if you set it into a particular expression, you have that expression on your face
His face set into a determined expression as he read the letter.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
13
[transitive] to arrange wet hair in a particular style so that it keeps that style when it becomes dry
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
14
[transitive] [usually passive] to put a jewel or stone in a piece of jewelry
a necklace set with rubies
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
15
[transitive] to arrange letters and words on a special machine into the correct order so that you can print something
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set

phrases

set an example (for someone)
to behave in a way that someone can copy, especially by doing something good
You should set an example for your younger brothers.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
set a precedent
to make a way of doing something become generally accepted as correct by doing it a particular way the first time
a ruling that would set a legal precedent
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
set a record
to do something faster, better, etc. than anyone has done before
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
set the stage for something
to create the conditions in which something is likely to happen
The drivers’ demands were rejected, setting the stage for a prolonged transportation strike.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
set the standard
to perform an activity at a level that other people have to try to achieve
a company that sets the standard in overnight delivery
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
set the table
to put all the dishes, forks, knives etc. needed for a meal onto a table
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
set to work
to start working, especially in a determined or enthusiastic way
set to work on:
I set to work on the mountain of paperwork on my desk.
set to work (on) doing something:
After lunch, they set to work fixing the roof.
set to work to do something:
He quickly set to work to build a shelter from the rain.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set
set someone to work
to make someone do work for you, especially when they do not want to do this
Don’t complain that you’re bored, or Dad will set you to work.
set someone to work doing something:
I’ve set them to work clearing out the garage.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set

phrasal verbs

This is the American English definition of set. View British English definition of set.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

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set

What are red words?

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phrases

set an example (for someone)

set a precedent

set a record

set the stage for something

set the standard

set the table

set to work

set someone to work

phrasal verbs

vocal fry

Word of the Day

zeugma

conflict mineral