verb

set

seht

verb

To put something in a particular place or position.

"She set the vase on the windowsill."

"He set his keys on the table by the door."

To fix or establish a time, rule, or level.

"Let's set a deadline for Friday."

"They set a new record for the fastest marathon."

To become solid or firm.

"Leave the jelly to set in the fridge overnight."

"Let the concrete set for 24 hours before walking on it."

To go down below the horizon, of the sun or moon.

"We watched the sun set over the harbour."

"The moon set just before dawn."

noun

A group of matching or related things.

"She bought a new set of kitchen knives."

"We bought a matching set of towels for the bathroom."

(mathematics) A collection of distinct objects.

"In set theory, {1, 2, 3} is a set of three numbers."

adj

Fixed or unchanging.

"He has very set ideas about how things should be done."

"She's very set on moving to the coast next year."

How to Use Set

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo put something in place or fix it firmly — or, as a noun, a group of matching things.

Memory tip

Like "run", "set" has many meanings — the core idea is usually "put or fix in place".

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

set a goal set the table set in stone

Word Forms

more set comparative, set past tense, setten past tense, setted past tense, set plural, sets plural, sets singular, set singular, settest singular, setteth singular, sets singular, most set superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ the vase on the windowsill.

Etymology

From Old English settan, "to make sit" — the causative form of sit.

Synonyms

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set theory

Rhymes for set

reset upset asset onset beset offset sunset closet corset Dorset outset basset

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