set
adjective
1. (usually followed by `to' or `for') ready for use or action.
- we are set to go at any time
Similar word(s): ready, fit, primed
2. fixed and unmoving
- with eyes set in a fixed glassy stare
- his bearded face already has a set hollow look
Similar word(s): nonmoving, unmoving, fixed, rigid
3. situated in a particular spot or position
- a house set on a hilltop
Similar word(s): settled, located, placed, situated
4. set down according to a plan
- a carefully laid table with places set for four people
Similar word(s): arranged, ordered, laid
5. being below the horizon
- the moon is set
Similar word(s): down
6. determined or decided upon as by an authority
- the time set for the launching
Similar word(s): settled, determined, dictated
7. converted to solid form (as concrete)
Similar word(s): hard, hardened
Sentences with set as an adjective:
- on your marks, get set, go!;
- set on getting to his destination
- a set menu
- I’m set against the idea of smacking children to punish them.
noun
1. a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
- a set of books
- a set of golf clubs
- a set of teeth
Definition categories: group, accumulation, aggregation, assemblage, collection
2. (mathematics) an abstract collection of numbers or symbols
- the set of prime numbers is infinite
Definition categories: group, abstraction
3. several exercises intended to be done in series
- he did four sets of the incline bench press
Definition categories: act, exercise, exercising, workout
4. representation consisting of the scenery and other properties used to identify the location of a dramatic production
- the sets were meticulously authentic
Definition categories: man–made, representation
5. an unofficial association of people or groups
- the smart set goes there
Similar word(s): band, circle, lot
Definition categories: group
6. a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
- the set of his mind was obvious
Similar word(s): bent
Definition categories: thought, disposition, inclination, tendency
7. the act of putting something in position
- he gave a final set to his hat
Definition categories: act, emplacement, locating, location, placement, position, positioning
8. a unit of play in tennis or squash
- they played two sets of tennis after dinner
Definition categories: time, play
9. the process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization
- he tested the set of the glue
Similar word(s): curing, hardening, solidification, solidifying
Definition categories: process, action, activity
10. evil Egyptian god with the head of a beast that has high square ears and a long snout; brother and murderer of Osiris
Similar word(s): seth
Definition categories: person
11. the descent of a heavenly body below the horizon
- before the set of sun
Definition categories: event, descent
12. (psychology) being temporarily ready to respond in a particular way
- the subjects' set led them to solve problems the familiar way and to overlook the simpler solution
- his instructions deliberately gave them the wrong set
Similar word(s): readiness
Definition categories: thought
13. any electronic equipment that receives or transmits radio or tv signals
- the early sets ran on storage batteries
Definition categories: man–made
Sentences with set as a noun:
- nail set
- television set
- the set of a spring
- the set of a coat
- Here and there, amongst individuals alive to the particular evils of the age, and watching the very set of the current, there may have been even a more systematic counteraction applied to the mischief. — Thomas De Quincey.
- a set of tables
- a set of tools
- a set of steps
- the country set
- He plays the set on Saturdays.
verb
1. put into a certain place or abstract location
- Set the tray down
- Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
Similar word(s): lay, place, pose, position, put
Definition categories: contact, displace, move
2. fix conclusively or authoritatively
- set the rules
Similar word(s): determine
Definition categories: cognition
3. decide upon or fix definitely
Similar word(s): define, determine, fix, limit, specify
Definition categories: communication, choose, select, take
4. establish as the highest level or best performance
- set a record
Similar word(s): mark
Definition categories: communication, establish, make
5. put into a certain state; cause to be in a certain state
- set the house afire
Definition categories: change, alter, modify
6. fix in a border
- The goldsmith set the diamond
Definition categories: contact, arrange
7. make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
Similar word(s): fix, prepare, ready
Definition categories: change, alter, modify
8. set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly
- set clocks or instruments
Definition categories: change, adjust, correct, set
9. locate
- The film is set in Africa
Similar word(s): localise, localize, place
Definition categories: creation, present, represent, stage
10. disappear beyond the horizon
- the sun sets early these days
Definition categories: motion, descend, fall
11. adapt for performance in a different way
- set this poem to music
Similar word(s): arrange
Definition categories: creation, compose, write
12. put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground
Similar word(s): plant
Definition categories: contact, lay, place, pose, position, put, set
13. apply or start
- set fire to a building
Definition categories: creation, initiate, originate, start
14. become gelatinous
Similar word(s): congeal, jell
Definition categories: change, solidify
15. set in type
- My book will be typeset nicely
- set these words in italics
Similar word(s): typeset
Definition categories: creation, impress, print
16. put into a position that will restore a normal state
- set a broken bone
Definition categories: contact, lay, place, pose, position, put, set
17. insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink)
Similar word(s): countersink
Definition categories: contact, bury, sink
18. give a fine, sharp edge to a knife or razor
Definition categories: contact, hone
19. urge to attack someone
Similar word(s): sic
Definition categories: competition, assail, assault, attack
20. estimate
Definition categories: cognition, approximate, estimate, gauge, guess, judge
21. equip with sails or masts
Similar word(s): rig
Definition categories: change, equip, fit, outfit
22. get ready for a particular purpose or event
- set up an experiment
- set the table
Definition categories: change, fix, prepare, ready, set
23. alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
Similar word(s): adjust, correct
Definition categories: change, alter, modify
24. bear fruit
Similar word(s): fructify
Definition categories: body, multiply, procreate, reproduce
25. arrange attractively
Similar word(s): arrange, coif, coiffe, coiffure, do, dress
Definition categories: body, groom, neaten
Sentences with set as a verb:
- Set the tray there.
- I have set my heart on running the marathon.
- to set a coach in the mud
- to set the rent
- I set the alarm at 6 a.m.
- Please set the table for our guests.
- I’ll tell you what happened, but first let me set the scene.
- He says he will set his next film in France.
- This crossword was set by Araucaria.
- It was a complex page, but he set it quickly.
- The teacher set her students the task of drawing a foot.
- The glue sets in four minutes.
- to set milk for cheese
- The moon sets at eight o'clock tonight.
- He sets in that chair all day.
- The dog sets the bird.
- Your dog sets well.
- to set pear trees in an orchard
- The current sets to the north; the tide sets to the windward.
- to set a precious stone in a border of metal
- to set glass in a sash
- to set (that is, to hone) a razor
- to set a saw
- to set the sails of a ship
- to set a broken bone
- to set a good example; to set lessons to be learned
- It sets him ill.