set
to put in position
To put something in a place or position.
to set [something] [somewhere]
- She set the vase on the table.
- Please set your phone on silent before the meeting.
- He set the ladder against the wall.
- The waiter set the plates in front of us.
- I set my bag on the chair.
- She sets her cup on the desk.
- He sets the keys on the table.
- We set the chairs in the room.
to make ready for use
To get something ready to use or start.
to set [something] up/for [purpose]
- She set the alarm for 6 a.m.
- They set the stage for the concert.
- I need to set my computer for updates.
- The teacher set the classroom for the exam.
- I set my clock for 7 o’clock.
- He sets his phone to ring at noon.
- We set the table for dinner.
- She sets her bag ready for school.
to cause to start
To make something start happening.
to set [something] in motion/on fire/etc.
- The announcement set off a wave of protests.
- High winds set the forest on fire.
- Her comment set in motion a chain of events.
- The news set him thinking about his future.
- The bell sets the game to start.
- They set off the fireworks at night.
- He sets the machine to work.
- The wind sets the door moving.
group of related items
A group of things that go together or are used together.
- She bought a new set of dishes.
- I have a complete chess set at home.
- The teacher handed out a set of worksheets.
- He gave her a set of tools for her birthday.
- I have a set of cups.
- She buys a set of spoons.
- We play with a chess set.
- He gets a new tool set.
stage or film scenery
The place with scenery and objects where a film or play is made.
- The actors waited on the set between takes.
- They built an elaborate castle set for the movie.
- Visitors were allowed to tour the TV show's set.
- The director asked everyone to clear the set.
- The actors are on the set now.
- They build a big set for the play.
- We see many lights on the film set.
- He works on a movie set.
- Base: set
- Plural: set, sets
- Base: set
- 3rd Person Singular: sets
- Present Participle: setting
- Past: set
- Past Participle: set
- Irregular present participle: setting Verb
- Irregular past: set Verb
- Irregular past participle: set Verb
set off
1cause to start suddenly
To make something start suddenly, like an alarm or explosion.
- The smoke set off the fire alarm.
- His comment set off an argument among the team.
set out
1begin journey or task
To start going somewhere or start doing something important.
- They set out early to reach the summit by noon.
- She set out to write her first novel last year.
set aside
1reserve for later use
To keep something for later use or special reason.
- 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
1fixed and unchangeable
Something that cannot be changed once decided.
- 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
2Unchangeable decision or rule
To be fixed and not able to change.
- The schedule is not set in stone yet.
- These rules are set in stone and cannot be altered.
set up
1arrange or prepare something
To make something ready to use or start working.
- 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
6arrange or prepare
To make something ready, such as a meeting, account, device, or business.
- 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.