Definition Synonyms
Definition of setting - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
control levelposition of a control or knob
- Set the oven to the highest setting.
2.
story contexttime and place where a story happens
- The setting of the novel is in 19th century London.
3.
positioningposition or adjustment of something
- Check the setting of the thermostat before leaving..
4.
table arrangementtableware for one person
- Each guest had a complete setting at the table.
5.
jewelryRare metal piece holding a gem in jewelryRare
- The diamond was in a gold setting.
6.
musicTECH. musical composition for specific wordsTECH.
- The choir performed a setting of the poem.
Adjective
1.
adjustmentadjusting to a particular state
- The setting temperature was just right for baking.
2.
astronomyRare disappearing below the horizonRare
- The setting sun painted the sky orange.
Images of setting

position of a control or knob 
tableware for one person 
metal piece holding a gem in jewelry
Expressions with setting
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
complete set of tableware for one person
The place setting included a fork, knife, and spoon.
sun going down at the end of the day
We watched the setting sun from the beach.
arrangement of tableware for one person at a meal
The table setting included a plate, fork, knife, and spoon.
chosen value or arrangement that controls when a device starts or stops
Set the oven's time setting to twenty minutes for the cookies.
the process of identifying and defining objectives to achieve
Effective goal setting is crucial for personal development..
process of deciding which tasks or goals are most important
Good priority setting helps managers handle many projects at once.
place for job dealings, guided by formal rules
Such jokes are inappropriate in a professional setting.
achieving the highest or lowest value ever known
She made a record-setting jump at the competition.
context or environment for an event
The conference had a professional stage setting.
environment or context where activities happen inside a hospital
The treatment is usually given in a hospital setting with specialized staff.
liquid applied to hair before styling
She used setting lotion to keep her curls in place.
process where an authority decides levels for prices, charges, or interest
The central bank's rate setting strongly influenced mortgage costs across the country.
becoming hard or solid in a short time
This is a quick-setting cement for repairs.
traveling frequently to different places
She leads a jet-setting lifestyle, always on the move.
guideline or standard established for a specific purpose
The company's setting rule for dress code is strictly enforced..
prechosen configuration used by a system when no changes are made
The phone reverted to its default setting after the battery was removed.
process or method of deciding what amount to charge for goods
The company reviewed its price setting before launching the new product.
activity of deciding shared rules or levels for products or services
International standard setting helps companies design compatible electronic devices.
mode on equipment where the user chooses values instead of automation
Switch the washing machine to the manual setting for delicate clothes.
having the role or power of deciding how high prices are
The price-setting committee meets annually to adjust tuition rates.
property in subclass with same name as in superclass
The shadowed property setting caused confusion in the code.
adjustment of a device so it reads zero under reference conditions
The technician checked the zero setting before starting the pressure test.
someone is becoming less famous, powerful, or successful
By the late season, the actor's star is setting.
text arranged manually for printing
The book was produced using hand setting.
Origin of setting
Old English, settan (to place)
Terms with setting included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
calendar setting
during a period of time
walking
move by lifting and setting down the foot
private setting
consume food at home instead of going out
context
setting or situation where events occur
informal setting
informal discussion of opposing views
setup process
act of setting up equipment or software
accommodation
simple hotel or guesthouse, typically in a natural setting
automobile
the gear setting for backward travel
magic
expression of a desire, typically in a magical or ritualistic setting
goal setting
intend to achieve a specific goal or outcome
technology
setting on a mobile device that disables wireless communications
entertainment
music setting mood in films or games
meal setting
setting where breakfast is served
destruction
destroy by setting on fire
outdoor area
area designated for setting up a camp
clock setting
standard hour used across much of Europe, one hour after Greenwich
relocation
moving to a different place or setting
performance
music performed in a church setting
alcohol
drink alcohol, often in a social setting
car headlights
bright car headlight setting for distant visibility
vehicle speed
gear setting in vehicles for high speed
driving
moving backward using the reverse setting
outdoor setting
happening or existing outside in clean outdoor air
measurement
at a moderately low level or setting
Examples of setting in a sentence
The washing machine was on the wrong setting. The setting of the film was a futuristic city. In the play, the setting shifts to a small village. Adjust the setting of the camera for better focus. The setting of the machine was incorrect. The setting included a fork, knife, and spoon.
She admired the elegant setting at the dinner. The ruby was set in a platinum setting. She admired the intricate setting of the sapphire. The setting of the lyrics was beautifully composed. He wrote a setting for the ancient hymn. The setting volume was too low to hear anything. She was busy setting the clock to the correct time. The setting moon was a beautiful sight. We watched the setting stars fade away.
View all translations of setting
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:réglage, réglé, ...
- German:Einstellung, eingestellt, ...
- Italian:impostazione, calante, ...
- Spanish:configuración, de ajuste, ...
- Portuguese:configuração, ajustável, ...
- Chinese:设置, 已调节的, ...
- Japanese:設定, 沈む, ...
- Arabic:إِعْدَاد, مُضَبَّط, ...
- Hebrew:הַגְדָּרָה, מְכוּוָן, ...
- Russian:настройка, заходящий, ...
- Ukrainian:налаштування, західний, ...
- Hindi:सेटिंग, समायोजित, ...
Definition of set - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
positionput something in a specific place
- She set the vase on the table.
2.
conditioncause to be in a particular state
- The news set him thinking.
3.
decide or specifydecide or clearly state something officially or formally
- The teacher set the rules for the class.
4.
sunsetintr. disappear below the horizonintr.
- The sun sets at 7 PM.
5.
solidifyintr. become firm or hardintr.
- The jelly will set in the fridge.
6.
initiate actioncause to begin an action or process
- The noise set the dog barking..
7.
technologyTECH. adjust to a particular point or levelTECH.
- Set the thermostat to 22 degrees.
8.
volleyballTECH. direct the ball to a teammateTECH.
- She set the ball perfectly for the spike.
9.
plantplace plants or seeds in the ground
- They set the seedlings in the garden.
10.
musicTECH. write music for words to be sungTECH.
- He set the poem to music.
Noun
1.
technologyUS device for receiving broadcast signalsUS
- He turned on the television set to watch the news.
2.
social groupgroup of people with shared interests
- The jazz set meets every Friday night.
3.
math conceptTECH. group of distinct objects treated as one wholeTECH.
- The set contains three numbers: 2, 4, and 6.
4.
theaterTECH. scenery and props for a play or filmTECH.
- The set for the play was elaborate and detailed..
5.
musicTECH. group of songs performed by a musicianTECH.
- The band played a lively set at the concert.
6.
exerciseTECH. series of exercises performed without restTECH.
- He completed three sets of push-ups.
7.
sportsTECH. complete series of games in tennisTECH.
- She won the first set 6-3.
8.
oceanographyTECH. direction or drift of a currentTECH.
- The set of the tide was strong today..
Adjective
1.
preparationready or prepared for action or use
- The actors are set for the scene..
2.
planningprearranged or established
- The meeting time is set for 3 PM.
3.
stabilityfixed in position or state
- The jewels were set in gold.
4.
determinationdetermined to do something
- She was set on winning the race.
Expressions with set
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
prepare something for use or operation
They set up the equipment for the concert.
ready and prepared for an activity
We are all set for the trip.
allow passengers to leave a vehicle
The bus set down passengers at the station.
enter a place, often with emphasis
She never set foot in that house again.
move a clock's time to an earlier hour
Remember to set back the clock before you go to bed.
cause something to start burning
The vandals set fire to the abandoned building.
allow someone or something to be free
They set free the captured birds.
collection of tubes or pipes
The plumber brought a set of pipes to fix the leak.
leave on a journey or trip
We set off early in the morning.
ignite fireworks to create a display
We set off fireworks to celebrate the New Year.
begin a journey or trip
They set off on their adventure early in the morning.
be determined to achieve a goal
She is set on winning the competition.
leave or depart on a journey
They set out for the mountains early in the morning.
begin a journey by sea
The crew set sail at dawn for their next adventure..
establish the speed for a group to move
The lead runner set the pace for the marathon.
arrange plates and utensils for a meal
She set the table before dinner.
adjust a device to a particular mode or condition
He set to the thermostat to 22 degrees before leaving..
take starting position just before a race begins
The runners get set as the announcer calls their names.
extremely determined or resolute in purpose
She was dead set on winning the competition.
decide and begin to follow a direction or path
The captain set a course for the nearest island.
start a new way of doing something that others adopt
The company set a trend with its eco-friendly packaging.
start doing something with determination
She set about cleaning the house.
reserve something for a specific purpose
She set aside some money for her vacation.
delay or slow down progress
The storm set back the construction project.
Origin of set
Old English, settan (to place)
Examples of set in a sentence
They set the chairs in a circle for the meeting. The incident set her worrying about safety. His actions set the team on a new path. The committee set the deadline for submissions. She set strict criteria for the scholarship. The stars appeared as the sun set behind the mountains.
The sun set quickly, leaving the sky dark. The cement will set overnight. The glue needs time to set properly. The alarm set the whole family running. Her words set the debate in motion. Set the volume to a comfortable level. You need to set the timer for ten minutes. He set the ball with precision during the match. The coach taught her how to set effectively. We set potatoes along the sunny row. She set basil seeds after the last frost. The composer set the lyrics to a haunting melody. She set the sonnet to a classical tune. The radio set was an antique. She adjusted the set for better reception. The literary set gathered at the bookstore for readings. She was part of the elite set in the fashion industry. Each element in the set must be unique. She drew a Venn diagram to compare two sets of numbers. The set was designed to look like a 19th-century village. They built the set in just three days. The DJ's set was full of energy. They performed a set of classic hits. She increased the weight for her final set. The trainer recommended a set of ten repetitions. The match ended after three sets. He lost the final set in a tiebreaker. The set of the river current was unpredictable. Fishermen always consider the set of the ocean currents. The team is set for the match. The equipment is set for the experiment. The agenda is set for the conference. Her plans for the weekend are set and unchangeable. The concrete was set and ready to use. Her opinions were set and unchangeable. He was set on finishing the project by Friday. They are set on making the event a success.
View all translations of set
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:mettre, téléviseur, ...
- German:stellen, Fernsehgerät, ...
- Italian:mettere, televisore, ...
- Spanish:colocar, aparato de televisión, ...
- Portuguese:colocar, televisor, ...
- Chinese:置, 电视机, ...
- Japanese:置く, セット, ...
- Arabic:وَضَعَ, جِهَاز اِسْتِقْبَال, ...
- Hebrew:לָשִׂים, מַקְלֵט, ...
- Russian:поставить, телевизор, ...
- Ukrainian:поставити, телевізор, ...
- Hindi:रखना, सेट, ...

icon to discover related terms: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, umbrella terms… Try with happening or hunch.
icon next to the first example to see two additional options and learn to use new vocabulary naturally.
icon to save words you want to revisit. You can also save a specific meaning by clicking on the