Word Frequency

setin noun uses

(set ) Collins COBUILD

Word forms: plural sets

1. countable noun

A set of things is a number of things that belong together or that are thought of as a group.

There must be one set of laws for the whole of the country. [+ of]

I might need a spare set of clothes. [+ of]

The computer repeats a set of calculations. [+ of]

Only she and Mr Cohen had complete sets of keys to the shop. [+ of]

The mattress and base are normally bought as a set.

...a chess set.

series, collection, assortment, kit, outfit, batch, compendium, assemblage, coordinated group, ensemble

2. countable noun

In tennis, a set is one of the groups of six or more games that form part of a match.

Graf was leading 5-1 in the first set.

3. countable noun

In mathematics, a set is a group of mathematical quantities that have some characteristic in common.

4. countable noun

A band's or musician's set is the group of songs or tunes that they perform at a concert.

The band continued with their set after a short break.

He plays a solo acoustic set.

5. singular noun

You can refer to a group of people as a set if they meet together socially or have the same interests and lifestyle.

He belonged to what the press called 'The Chelsea Set'.

6. See also jet set

7. countable noun [oft on/off N]

The set for a play, film, or television show is the furniture and scenery that is on the stage when the play is being performed or in the studio where filming takes place.

From the first moment he got on the set, he wanted to be a director too.

...his stage sets for the Folies Bergeres. [+ for]

...a movie set.

...stars who behave badly on set.

scenery, backdrop, setting, flats, mise en scène, stage furniture

8. singular noun

The set of someone's face or part of their body is the way that it is fixed in a particular expression or position, especially one that shows determination.

Matt looked at Hugh and saw the stubbornness in the set of his shoulders. [+ of]

Artist Richard Stone has captured in her eyes and the set of her face her steely determination.

expression, look

9. countable noun

A set is an appliance. For example, a television set is a television.

Children spend so much time in front of the television set.

We got our first set–black and white–in 1963.

television, TV, telly [British, informal], the box [British, informal], receiver, the tube [slang], TV set, small screen [informal], gogglebox [British, slang], idiot box [slang]

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense sets , present participle setting language note: The form set is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb.

1. verb

If you set something somewhere, you put it there, especially in a careful or deliberate way.

He took the case out of her hand and set it on the floor. [VERB noun preposition]

When he set his glass down he spilled a little drink. [VERB noun with adverb]

put, place, lay, leave, park [informal], position, rest, plant, station, stick [informal], deposit, locate, lodge, situate, plump, plonk

2. adjective

If something is set in a particular place or position, it is in that place or position.

The castle is set in 25 acres of beautiful grounds. [+ in]

Quiberon is set on an eight-mile peninsula.

located, sited, situated, found, perched

3. adjective

If something is set into a surface, it is fixed there and does not stick out.

The man unlocked a gate set in a high wall and let me through. [+ in]

Set into an alcove under the side deck is a tiny wash basin.

4. verb

You can use set to say that a person or thing causes another person or thing to be in a particular condition or situation. For example, to set someone free means to cause them to be free, and to set something going means to cause it to start working.

Set the kitchen timer going. [VERB noun verb-ing]

A phrase from the conference floor set my mind wandering. [VERB noun verb-ing]

Dozens of people have been injured and many vehicles set on fire. [be V-ed adj/adv]

Churchill immediately set into motion a daring plan. [V n with prep]

5. verb

When you set a clock or control, you adjust it to a particular point or level.

Set the volume as high as possible. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]

I forgot to set my alarm and I overslept. [VERB noun]

switch on, turn on, activate, programme

6. verb

If you set a date, price, goal, or level, you decide what it will be.

The conference chairman has set a deadline of noon tomorrow. [VERB noun]

A date will be set for a future meeting. [be VERB-ed + for]

The German government has set a tight budget for next year. [VERB noun]

The pass mark is set at 50 per cent. [be V-ed at n]

arrange, decide (upon), settle, name, establish, determine, fix, schedule, appoint, specify, allocate, designate, ordain, fix up, agree upon

7. verb

If you set a certain value on something, you think it has that value.

She sets a high value on autonomy. [VERB noun + on]

If you set no value on being a woman yourself, how can you expect others to? [V n on n/-ing]

8. verb

If you set something such as a record, an example, or a precedent, you do something that people will want to copy or try to achieve.

Legal experts said her case would not set a precedent because it was an out-of-court settlement. [VERB noun]

A new world marathon record of 2 hrs, 8 min, 5 sec, was set by Stephen Jones of Great Britain. [be VERB-ed]

They set the pace in cutting ozone-damaging emissions. [VERB noun]

If you are smoking in front of the children then you are setting them a bad example. [VERB noun noun]

create, provide, establish, set up, institute

9. verb

If someone sets you a task or aim or if you set yourself a task or aim, you need to succeed in doing it.

I have to plan my academic work very rigidly and set myself clear objectives. [VERB noun noun]

We will train you first before we set you a task. [VERB noun noun]

The secret to happiness is to keep setting yourself new challenges. [VERB noun noun]

assign, give, allot, prescribe

10. verb

To set an examination or a question paper means to decide what questions will be asked in it.

[British]

He broke with the tradition of setting examinations in Latin. [VERB noun]

regional note: in AM, usually use make up

11. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

You use set to describe something which is fixed and cannot be changed.

Investors can apply for a package of shares at a set price.

A set period of fasting is supposed to bring us closer to godliness.

There is a set menu from £24.00 for two courses with coffee.

established, fixed, specified, planned, decided, agreed, standard, regular, usual, arranged, rigid, definite, customary, inflexible, predetermined, unchanging, hard and fast, immovable, unvarying

12. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

A set book must be studied by students taking a particular course.

[British]

One of the set books is Jane Austen's Emma.

regional note: in AM, use required compulsory, required, assigned, recommended, imposed, specified, prescribed, stipulated

13. adjective

If a play, film, or story is set in a particular place or period of time, the events in it take place in that place or period.

The play is set in a small Midwestern town. [+ in]

...a 1964 science fiction novel by Philip K Dick, set in 1994 in a colony of humans on Mars.

The Hungarian director has completed her powerful Diary trilogy, set against the background of events in her country.

14. adjective

If you are set to do something, you are ready to do it or are likely to do it. If something is set to happen, it is about to happen or likely to happen.

Roberto Baggio was set to become one of the greatest players of all time.

The talks are set to continue through the week. [VERB noun]

15. adjective

If you are set on something, you are strongly determined to do or have it. If you are set against something, you are strongly determined not to do or have it.

She was set on going to an all-girls school. [+ on/against]

Margaret was always mischievous and set on her own individual course.

France is also set against devaluation.

16. verb

If you set your face or jaw, you put on a fixed expression of determination.

Instead, she set her jaw grimly and waited in silence. [VERB noun]

He came insolently towards Mr. Won, his features set in a scowl. [VERB noun]

17. verb

When something such as jelly, melted plastic, or cement sets, it becomes firm or hard.

You can add ingredients to these desserts as they begin to set. [VERB]

Lower the heat and allow the omelet to set on the bottom. [VERB]

The material requires higher temperatures and pressures to set hard. [VERB adjective]