Set definition

Set as a verb

1. put into a certain place or abstract location

   "Set the tray down"

   Same sense: place, put, position, lay, pose

2. fix conclusively or authoritatively

   "set the rules"

   Same sense: determine

3. decide upon or fix definitely

   Same sense: fix, limit, determine, define, specify

4. establish as the highest level or best performance

   "set a record"

   Same sense: mark

5. put into a certain state; cause to be in a certain state

   "set the house afire"

6. fix in a border

   "The goldsmith set the diamond"

7. make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

   Same sense: set up, ready, fix, prepare, gear up

8. set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly

   "set clocks or instruments"

9. locate

   "The film is set in Africa"

   Same sense: place, localize, localise

10. disappear beyond the horizon

    "the sun sets early these days"

    Same sense: go down, go under

11. adapt for performance in a different way

    "set this poem to music"

    Same sense: arrange

12. put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

    Same sense: plant

13. apply or start

    "set fire to a building"

14. become gelatinous

    Same sense: jell, congeal

15. set in type

    "set these words in italics"

    Same sense: typeset

16. put into a position that will restore a normal state

    "set a broken bone"

17. insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink)

    Same sense: countersink

18. give a fine, sharp edge to a knife or razor

19. urge to attack someone

    Same sense: sic

20. estimate

    Same sense: place, put

21. equip with sails or masts

    Same sense: set up, rig

22. get ready for a particular purpose or event

    "set up an experiment"

    Same sense: set up, lay out

23. alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard

    Same sense: correct, adjust

24. produce fruit

    Same sense: fructify

25. arrange attractively

    Same sense: do, dress, arrange, coif, coiffure, coiffe

Set as a noun

26. a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used

    "a set of books"

27. (mathematics) an abstract collection of numbers or symbols

    "the set of prime numbers is infinite"

28. several exercises intended to be done in series

    "he did four sets of the incline bench press"

    Same sense: exercise set

29. representation consisting of the scenery and other properties used to identify the location of a dramatic production

    "the sets were meticulously authentic"

    Same sense: stage set

30. an unofficial association of people or groups

    "the smart set goes there"

    Same sense: lot, band, circle

31. a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

    "the set of his mind was obvious"

    Same sense: bent

32. the act of putting something in position

    "he gave a final set to his hat"

33. a unit of play in tennis or squash

    "they played two sets of tennis after dinner"

34. the process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization

    "he tested the set of the glue"

    Same sense: curing, hardening, solidifying, solidification

35. the descent of a heavenly body below the horizon

    "before the set of sun"

36. (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"

    Same sense: readiness

37. any electronic equipment that receives or transmits radio or tv signals

    "the early sets ran on storage batteries"

Set as an adjective

38. (usually followed by ‘to’ or ‘for’) on the point of or strongly disposed

    "we are set to go at any time"

    Same sense: fit, primed

39. fixed and unmoving

    "with eyes set in a fixed glassy stare"

    Same sense: fixed, rigid

40. situated in a particular spot or position

    "a house set on a hilltop"

    Same sense: located, placed, situated

41. set down according to a plan

    "a carefully laid table with places set for four people"

    Same sense: laid

42. being below the horizon

    "the moon is set"

43. determined or decided upon as by an authority

    "the time set for the launching"

    Same sense: determined, dictated

44. converted to solid form (as concrete)

    Same sense: hardened

Synonyms and antonyms

• place definition
• put definition
• position definition
• lay
• pose
• determine
• fix
• limit
• define
• specify
• mark
• set up
• ready definition
• prepare
• gear up
• localize
• localise
• go down
• go under
• arrange
• plant
• jell
• congeal
• typeset

Opposite: rise.

All synonyms of set, sense by sense

How to say set

Set has 1 syllable and rhymes with get. Syllable counts and rhymes come from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary.

Words that rhyme with set

• get
• let
• yet
• met
• forget
• bet
• net
• debt
• et
• upset
• threat
• wet

SET in word games

Scrabble

3

Words With Friends

3

Anagrams

0

Is SET a valid Scrabble word? Yes, it is in the ENABLE list most word games use. Check SET in the word checker, or unscramble SET to see the shorter words in its letters.