Set (Verb)
Meaning 1
Bear fruit; "the apple trees fructify".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- The cherry blossoms will set by the end of spring and ripen into luscious cherries by summer.
- The farmer carefully tended to the orchard, waiting for the peach trees to set their juicy fruits.
- With proper care and nourishment, the young plum trees are expected to set their first fruit harvest in three years.
- Scientists are trying to induce the rare tropical plant to set seeds so they can further study and cultivate it.
- After the bees pollinated the flowers, the orange blossoms set their round, ripe oranges.
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Meaning 2
Become gelatinous; "the liquid jelled after we added the enzyme".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The mixture will set once it cools down completely in the refrigerator.
- After being applied to the wound, the liquid bandage will begin to set and form a protective barrier.
- The agar in the petri dish set overnight and is now ready to be inoculated.
- Let the mixture set in the mold before unmolding and serving the dessert.
- She carefully poured the mixture into the mold and waited for it to set before slicing and serving.
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Meaning 3
Alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard; "Adjust the clock, please"; "correct the alignment of the front wheels".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature for the guests.
- The jeweler set the time on the new watch to match the atomic clock.
- The carpenter set the level to ensure the shelf was perfectly horizontal.
- The mechanic set the brake pads to the correct gap for optimal performance.
- The engineer set the frequency of the transmitter to match the receiving station.
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Meaning 4
Apply or start; "set fire to a building".
Classification
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing.
Examples
- The police set their dogs on the escaping convict to catch him.
- Please set the timer on the oven for 30 minutes.
- She stood alone in the old house when the pranksters set off the fireworks.
- They set up an eBay account to start selling their unwanted items.
- The vandals decided to set fire to the abandoned warehouse at night.
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
Put into a position that will restore a normal state; "set a broken bone".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The doctor will set your broken arm after taking an X-ray to confirm the fracture.
- She carefully set the severely sprained ankle to promote healing.
- He helped set a dislocated shoulder by applying gentle but firm pressure.
- The orthopedic specialist set the compound fracture, stabilizing it with multiple pins and a cast.
- They worked together to set the badly broken leg, using makeshift splints until medical help arrived.
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Meaning 6
Decide upon or fix definitely; "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The programmers set the default font size to 12 points for the entire website.
- The researchers set the control group's treatment options to be the standard procedure.
- Please set the time zone to Pacific Standard Time in your phone's settings.
- They set the base interest rate at 4.5% for the foreseeable future.
- She set her phone's autocorrect feature to learn and adapt her writing habits.
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Meaning 7
Equip with sails or masts; "rig a ship".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The crew had set the mainsail before the storm to make the most of the strong winds.
- The sailors carefully set the mast in place, knowing its strength would be crucial for the voyage.
- To harness the wind more effectively, they set the jib sail on the port side.
- It took hours to set the entire rigging of the sailboat in preparation for the regatta.
- By using a crane, the dockworkers set the tall masts on the historic tall ship.
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Meaning 8
Adapt for performance in a different way; "set this poem to music".
Classification
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing.
Examples
- The composer decided to set the famous novel to an opera, blending music with theatrical performances.
- She set her short story to a musical, capturing the emotional depth of the characters through song.
- The musician set Lord Byron's poem to a haunting melody that showcased its beauty and elegance.
- The poet set her lyrics to a jazz piece, creating a captivating blend of words and rhythm.
- The artist set the classic tale to ballet, bringing new life to the timeless story through dance.
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Meaning 9
Arrange attractively; "dress my hair for the wedding".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- The beautician was hired to set the bride's hair for the wedding ceremony.
- She spent hours setting her model's hair in the exact style the designer required.
- The hairdresser was skilled at setting hair into beautiful intricate designs.
- The stylist set the actress's hair in the 1940s style, complete with pins and a headband.
- Can you set my hair in a neat updo for the formal event tonight.
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Meaning 10
Put into a certain place or abstract location; "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Please set your luggage in the corner of the room.
- Set the vase on the coffee table but be careful not to break it.
- You can set the baby's high chair at the head of the dining table.
- Set the documents on my desk please and I'll review them later.
- The professor set the topic of leadership at the center of the class discussion.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
- Misplace
- Middle
- Ladle
- Throw
- Insert
- Ensconce
- Sit Down
- Place Upright
- Siphon
- Inclose
- Intersperse
- Dispose
- Postpose
- Docket
- Ground
- Upend
- Posit
- Recess
- Rack Up
- Marshal
- Stick In
- Poise
- Settle
- Plant
- Nestle
- Superpose
- Perch
- Place Down
- Barrel
- Coffin
- Superimpose
- Arrange
- Pigeonhole
- Position
- Parallelize
- Bottle
- Pillow
- Set Up
- Reposition
- Put In
- Clap
- Introduce
- Lay Over
- Set
- Underlay
- Sow
- Imbricate
- Jar
- Repose
- Prepose
- Pile
- Recline
- Glycerolize
- Install
- Lean
- Rest
- Load
- Bed
- Seat
- Cram
- Lay
- Deposit
- Tee
- Butt
- Stand
- Space
- Replace
- Situate
- Park
- Step
- Ship
- Appose
- Set Down
- Sign
- Cock
- Shelve
- Emplace
- Juxtapose
- Stratify
- Trench
- Bucket
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Meaning 11
Put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground; "Let's plant flowers in the garden".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Set the seedlings in the ground at the same depth they were in their pots.
- She'll set a young tree in the backyard tomorrow.
- The gardener carefully set each seed about an inch apart.
- They planned to set the daisies in the garden on the weekend.
- Let's set these marigolds around the edge of the lawn.
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Meaning 12
Estimate; "We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- We set the estimated time of completion at 6 months from now.
- She sets her alarm clock for 6 A.M. every day.
- They set the predicted launch date for the new product at early next year.
- We set the projected deadline for the project at the end of the quarter.
- The researchers set the estimated value of the ancient artifact at several million dollars.
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Meaning 13
Fix in a border; "The goldsmith set the diamond".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The diamond cutter set the precious stone into an elegant gold ring.
- The jeweler set the sapphire at the center of a silver pendant.
- The craftsman set the gemstone securely into the antique brooch.
- The jewelry maker set the small pearls in a intricate platinum design.
- The artisan set the topaz into a decorative frame of gold.
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Meaning 14
Give a fine, sharp edge to a knife or razor.
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- He carefully set the blade on a grinding wheel to give it a razor-sharp edge.
- A skilled cutler is required to set the edge of high-quality knives.
- To set the straight razor, a whetstone and some experience are necessary.
- After years of practice, she learned to set her knives quickly and efficiently.
- Using a leather strop, he set the final edge on his newly sharpened knife.
Meaning 15
Put into a certain state; cause to be in a certain state; "set the house afire".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The sun's warmth set the plants in bloom around the garden.
- Her kindness set the tone for the rest of the conversation.
- The smell of gas set the sensors off, and the entire factory had to be evacuated.
- The team's latest win set them on a path towards the championships.
- The arsonist deliberately set the office building on fire.
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Meaning 16
Disappear beyond the horizon; "the sun sets early these days".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- The sun sets behind the mountains, casting a warm glow over the landscape.
- As I stood on the beach, I watched the sun set slowly into the ocean.
- The stars began to appear as the sun set below the horizon.
- It gets dark early now that the sun sets so quickly.
- The sun sets over the rolling hills, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange.
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Meaning 17
Make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc; "Get the children ready for school!"; "prepare for war"; "I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The chef needs to set the table before the guests arrive.
- She's been setting her alarm clock for an early wake-up call.
- They set the stage for the band's performance with lights and microphones.
- The engineer continued to set the new system in place.
- Companies have been setting budgets for their marketing campaigns ahead of time.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
- Socialise
- Winterize
- Crop
- Prime
- Cram
- Poise
- Brace
- Summerise
- Provide
- Work
- Mount
- Set Up
- Cultivate
- Fix
- Precondition
- Set
- Summerize
- Socialize
- Lay Out
- Winterise
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Meaning 18
Set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly; "set clocks or instruments".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The technician carefully set the radio telescope's antenna to point towards the distant galaxy.
- After winterization, the boat's sails must be set to take advantage of favorable winds.
- Engineers had to set the navigation system to the correct coordinates for the spacecraft's entry into Mars' atmosphere.
- Experts recommend having a professional set the bike's derailleur to ensure proper gear shifting.
- Surgeons can set the device's dosage levels according to the specific needs of each patient.
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Meaning 19
Get ready for a particular purpose or event; "set up an experiment"; "set the table"; "lay out the tools for the surgery".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The scientists set their equipment to begin the investigation.
- Set the table with your grandmother's fine china for the holiday dinner.
- The medical team will set the surgical site to minimize infection risk.
- She set her alarm to wake up early and catch the morning bus.
- The crew set the stage for the evening's musical performance.
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Meaning 20
Insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink).
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The carpenter carefully set the screw into the countersink after drilling the hole.
- She set the nail into the wood, making sure it was flush with the surface.
- To avoid visible fasteners, he had to set all the screws below the surface.
- Use a countersink bit to pre-drill the hole, then set the screw into place.
- You should set the nails at an angle to make sure they securely hold the joint.
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Meaning 21
Establish as the highest level or best performance; "set a record".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The gymnast set a world record for the floor exercise at the international competition.
- Her new novel set a benchmark for excellence in young adult fiction.
- The football team set a new standard for defense in the league this season.
- She set her personal best time in the marathon and qualified for the national team.
- The company set a goal to be carbon neutral and exceeded it within two years.
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Meaning 22
Set in type; "My book will be typeset nicely"; "set these words in italics".
Classification
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing.
Examples
- The heading will be set in bold font to draw attention to the main topic.
- Set the title of the book in all capital letters for emphasis.
- These important terms should be set in italics throughout the text.
- The chapter headings will be set in a larger font size than the regular text.
- The company's motto will be set in a stylish cursive font for the logo.
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Meaning 23
Locate; "The film is set in Africa".
Classification
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing.
Examples
- The movie is set in medieval Europe and features several epic battles.
- The story is set on a remote island where the main character is stranded.
- The new sci-fi series is set in a dystopian future where robots control humanity.
- The famous novel is set during World War II and explores themes of loss and sacrifice.
- The upcoming blockbuster is set in ancient Greece and features mythological creatures.
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Meaning 24
Fix conclusively or authoritatively; "set the rules".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The teacher set the deadlines for the project to ensure everyone was on track.
- She set her own standards and strived to meet them.
- The government will set the regulations for the new industry.
- The umpire set the rules for fair play before the game began.
- Experts set quality control standards for the manufacturing process.
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Meaning 25
Urge to attack someone; "The owner sicked his dogs on the intruders"; "the shaman sics sorcerers on the evil spirits".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The furious coach set the star player on the referee after being ejected from the game.
- She set her most aggressive guard dog on the burglar.
- The vengeful villain set his men on the rival leader.
- In a fit of rage, he set his street gang on the rival gang.
- The protective father set the bodyguard on the stalker threatening his daughter.