set

(noun, adjective, verb)

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

Similar word(s): place, put

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.