set
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.to place something in a particular position.
v.to place or position an object in a specific location or orientation. Transitive; requires a direct object.
Simple“She set the boxes on the floor and started unpacking them.”
In context“She set the heavy crates down with deliberate care, knowing one careless drop would shatter the antique porcelain inside.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
v.to fix a date, time, or limit.
v.to establish or appoint a specific time, date, or boundary for an event or task.
Simple“They set the meeting for Friday morning so everyone had notice.”
In context“The committee set the deadline for early November, choosing a date that would force the contractor to deliver before winter weather arrived.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to become firm or solid, like jelly or concrete.
v.to change from a liquid or soft state to a solid or rigid state through chemical or physical cooling. Intransitive in this sense.
Simple“The dessert needs two hours in the fridge to set properly.”
In context“The quick-drying cement began to set within minutes, leaving the workers very little time to smooth the surface of the new driveway.”
- 04 A2 Elementary
v.when the sun or moon disappears below the horizon.
v.of a celestial body: to disappear below the horizon as the earth rotates.
Simple“We sat on the beach and watched the sun set over the ocean.”
In context“As the sun set behind the jagged peaks, the temperature in the valley dropped with surprising speed.”
- 05 A2 Elementary
n.a collection of matching things that belong together.
n.a group of related or matching items considered as a single unit or collection.
Simple“A set of keys lay on the desk by the door.”
In context“The museum displayed an exquisite set of Georgian silverware, each piece engraved with the family crest of the original owners.”
Synonyms - 06 B1 Intermediate
n.the place where a film or play is recorded.
n.the physical environment, scenery, and props constructed for a film, television programme, or theatrical production.
Simple“The actors arrived on set at dawn for the first scene.”
In context“On set, the director paced anxiously while lighting technicians repositioned the rig that had been miscalibrated overnight.”
- 07 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a collection of numbers or objects in math.
n.a collection of distinct objects, considered as an object in its own right.
Simple“In this math problem, we need to find the union of two sets.”
In context“The professor explained that a set containing all prime numbers is infinite, yet it is a subset of the set of all integers.”
- 08 B1 Intermediate
n.a part of a match or a group of exercises.
n.a division of a match in sports like tennis, or a group of repetitions in weightlifting.
Simple“He won the first set of the tennis match six-four.”
In context“After completing three sets of ten repetitions, the athlete moved on to the cardiovascular portion of the training session.”
- 09 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a school class where students have similar skills.
n.a group of pupils of similar ability in a particular subject who are taught together. Primarily used in the UK education system.
Simple“She was pleased to be placed in the top set for mathematics.”
In context“The school decided to move away from rigid sets in favour of mixed-ability teaching for the younger year groups.”
- 10 A2 Elementary
adj.prepared and in position to start.
adj.fully prepared and in a state of readiness. Often used in the phrase 'all set'.
Simple“Are you all set for your trip tomorrow?”
In context“With the proposal finalised and the supporting evidence collated, the negotiating team felt set to enter the morning session with confidence.”
Antonyms - 11 B1 Intermediate
adj.fixed and not likely to change.
adj.fixed, established, or prearranged; often used to describe opinions or menus.
Simple“The restaurant offers a set menu for a fixed price.”
In context“He is very set in his ways and rarely agrees to try new technology or different methods of working.”
Synonyms
set vs sit — Sit is an intransitive action where a person rests their weight, while set is a transitive action where someone places an object somewhere.
Usage set a new · set aside · set on fire