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set

verb · noun · adjective

Simple meaning

To put down, to rest.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

seht
US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈsɛt

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

verb

  1. transitive

    To put (something) down, to rest.

  2. Put into a certain state; cause to be in a certain state

  3. transitive

    To put in a specified condition or state; to cause to be.

  4. transitive

    To attach or affix (something) to something else, or in or upon a certain place.

  5. transitive

    To punch (a nail) into wood so that its head is below the surface.

  6. transitive

    To start (a fire).

noun

  1. A punch for setting nails in wood.

  2. A device for receiving broadcast radio waves (or, more recently, broadcast data); a radio or television.

  3. The amount by which the teeth of a saw protrude to the side in order to create the kerf.

  4. A bias of mind; an attitude or pattern of behaviour.

  5. A young oyster when first attached.

  6. Collectively, the crop of young oysters in any locality.

adjective

  1. Fixed in position.

  2. Rigid, solidified.

  3. Ready, prepared.

  4. Fixed in one's opinion.

  5. of hair

    Fixed in a certain style.

  6. Intent, determined (to do something).

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
A1 · Beginner
Frequency
Very Common
Typical Use
Everyday English

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: To put (something) down, to rest.

Used this way, set is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
No strong connotation
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use set

  • “The film is set in Africa.”verb

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

set forthset asidedata set

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More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin

Synonyms

Sense: to put (something) down or to rest

lay

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.