set
gb/sˈɛt/ us/sˈɛt/
A2
English
~ 800
tesz, helyez, beállít, berendez, előkészít, kivált, elindít, előidéz, készlet, garnitúra, szett, díszlet
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to set [something] [somewhere]
She set the vase on the table.
Az asztalra tette a vázát.
Please set your phone on silent before the meeting.
Kérlek, tedd némára a telefonodat a megbeszélés előtt.
He set the ladder against the wall.
The waiter set the plates in front of us.
Learner examples
I set my bag on the chair.
A székre tettem a táskámat.
She sets her cup on the desk.
Az íróasztalra teszi a csészéjét.
He sets the keys on the table.
We set the chairs in the room.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'set' with 'sit'. 'Set' needs an object; 'sit' does not.
Meaning
to put in position
Collocations
set the table
|set a trap
|set a date
|set boundaries
Synonyms
place (More general; does not imply careful positioning.)
Antonyms
remove (Opposite action of taking something away from a place.)
Themes
daily life
|organization
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
To put something in a place or position.
To put or arrange something in a specific place or position.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to set [something] up/for [purpose]
She set the alarm for 6 a.m.
Reggel hatra állította be az ébresztőt.
They set the stage for the concert.
Előkészítették a színpadot a koncertre.
I need to set my computer for updates.
The teacher set the classroom for the exam.
Learner examples
I set my clock for 7 o’clock.
Hét órára állítom be az órámat.
He sets his phone to ring at noon.
Úgy állítja be a telefonját, hogy délben csörögjön.
We set the table for dinner.
She sets her bag ready for school.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'prepare' and not realize 'set' often implies adjusting controls or arranging physically.
Meaning
to make ready for use
Collocations
set an alarm
|set a goal
|set the stage
|set a schedule
Synonyms
prepare (General term for making ready; not always physical arrangement.)
Antonyms
neglect (Fail to prepare or arrange something.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
To get something ready to use or start.
To prepare or arrange something so it is ready to be used or to begin.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to set [something] in motion/on fire/etc.
The announcement set off a wave of protests.
A bejelentés tiltakozáshullámot váltott ki.
High winds set the forest on fire.
Az erős szél lángra lobbantotta az erdőt.
Her comment set in motion a chain of events.
The news set him thinking about his future.
Learner examples
The bell sets the game to start.
A csengő elindítja a játékot.
They set off the fireworks at night.
Éjszaka indították el a tűzijátékot.
He sets the machine to work.
The wind sets the door moving.
Common mistake:
Sometimes confused with 'start' directly; 'set' often needs an object and implies initiating indirectly.
Meaning
to cause to start
Collocations
set off an alarm
|set in motion
|set on fire
Synonyms
trigger (Often used for sudden or automatic starting.)
Antonyms
stop (To bring an event or process to an end.)
Themes
events
|cause-effect
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something start happening.
To cause an event, process, or action to start or happen.
NOUN
A2
4
She bought a new set of dishes.
Vett egy új étkészletet.
I have a complete chess set at home.
Van otthon egy teljes sakk-készletem.
The teacher handed out a set of worksheets.
He gave her a set of tools for her birthday.
Learner examples
I have a set of cups.
Van egy csészékészletem.
She buys a set of spoons.
Vesz egy kanálkészletet.
We play with a chess set.
He gets a new tool set.
Meaning
group of related items
Collocations
a set of keys
|a chess set
|a tea set
Synonyms
collection (More general; may not imply functional unity.)
Antonyms
individual item (A single object, not part of a group.)
Themes
objects
|organization
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A group of things that go together or are used together.
A collection of things that are related, similar, or used together as a unit.
NOUN
B1
5
díszlet
B2
The actors waited on the set between takes.
A színészek két felvétel között a díszletben várakoztak.
They built an elaborate castle set for the movie.
A filmhez aprólékosan kidolgozott várdíszletet építettek.
Visitors were allowed to tour the TV show's set.
The director asked everyone to clear the set.
Learner examples
The actors are on the set now.
A színészek most a díszletben vannak.
They build a big set for the play.
Nagy díszletet építenek a darabhoz.
We see many lights on the film set.
He works on a movie set.
Meaning
stage or film scenery
Collocations
on set
|film set
|stage set
Synonyms
scenery (Refers only to background elements, not all props.)
Antonyms
location shoot (Filming in a real place, not on a constructed set.)
Themes
arts
|film
|arts_entertainment
Definition
The place with scenery and objects where a film or play is made.
The scenery, furniture, and props arranged for filming a scene or performing a play.
Grammar
Dictionary form
set
IPA
GB/sˈɛt/
US/sˈɛt/
Syllables & stress
set (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (set)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: set
- Plural: set, sets
Verb
- Base: set
- 3rd Person Singular: sets
- Present Participle: setting
- Past: set
- Past Participle: set
Word family
Forms
sets
noun
setting
verb B1
Related words
reset
verb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unset
adjective
Advanced or less common
setback
noun B1
setter
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: setting Verb
- Irregular past: set Verb
- Irregular past participle: set Verb
Expressions
set off
1/sˈɛt ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
cause to start suddenly
To make something start suddenly, like an alarm or explosion.
Examples
- The smoke set off the fire alarm.
- His comment set off an argument among the team.
set out
1/sˈɛt ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
begin journey or task
To start going somewhere or start doing something important.
Examples
- They set out early to reach the summit by noon.
- She set out to write her first novel last year.
set aside
1/sˈɛt əsˈaɪd/
phrasal verb
reserve for later use
To keep something for later use or special reason.
Examples
- She set aside some money for her vacation.
- The court set aside the previous decision.
- Please set aside those papers; I’ll look at them later.
- Please set some cake aside for John.
set in stone
1/sˈɛt ˈɪn stˈoʊn/
idiom
fixed and unchangeable
Something that cannot be changed once decided.
Examples
- The schedule isn’t set in stone yet; we can still make changes.
- His decision was set in stone, and nothing could change his mind.
set in stone
2/sˈɛt ˈɪn stˈoʊn/
idiom
Unchangeable decision or rule
To be fixed and not able to change.
Examples
- The schedule is not set in stone yet.
- These rules are set in stone and cannot be altered.
set up
1/sˈɛt ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
arrange or prepare something
To make something ready to use or start working.
Examples
- They set up the tent before dark.
- They set up the chairs before the meeting started.
- I need to set up my new phone before I can use it.
- We need to set up the new computer today.
set up
6/sˈɛt ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
arrange or prepare
To make something ready, such as a meeting, account, device, or business.
Examples
- We need to set up a meeting for next week.
- Can you help me set up my new phone?
- They set up a small company together.
Learner examples
- I set up an online account.
- She set it up before the guests arrived.