The word “set” is notorious for having a huge number of meanings in the English language. It’s actually believed to have the most definitions of any word!
While the exact number can vary slightly depending on the dictionary, here’s what we know:
- Oxford English Dictionary (OED): The OED lists 430 senses for “set” as a verb. This makes it the longest entry in the dictionary! They also list 64 meanings for “set” as a noun, with 17 of those being obsolete.
- Cambridge Dictionary: While not listing a specific number, they provide a vast array of meanings for “set” as a verb, noun, and adjective, covering a wide range of uses.
So, while pinning down the exact number is tricky, it’s safe to say “set” has hundreds of meanings in UK English, making it a truly versatile (and sometimes confusing!) word.
Here are some of the most common ways “set” is used in UK English, with examples:
As a verb
- To put something in a place: “Please set the table for dinner.” / “She set the vase on the windowsill.”
- To establish or fix: “The government has set new guidelines for energy efficiency.” / “Let’s set a date for the meeting.”
- To adjust: “I need to set the alarm for 6am.” / “He set the oven to 200 degrees.”
- To cause to be in a certain state: “The news set her mind at ease.” / “His careless words set off a chain reaction.”
- (Of the sun, moon, etc.) To go below the horizon: “The sun sets earlier in the winter.”
As a noun
- A group of things belonging together: “a set of keys” / “a chess set” / “a set of instructions”
- A group of people with shared characteristics: “a set of friends” / “the jet set”
- Scenery and props for a play or film: “The stage set was very elaborate.”
- In mathematics: A collection of distinct objects.
- In tennis, etc.: A unit of a match.
As an adjective
- Fixed or established: “a set routine” / “a set menu”
- Ready: “Are you all set to go?”
- Determined: “He’s set on becoming a doctor.”
This is not exhaustive, but it covers many of the most frequent uses of “set”. If you have a particular sentence or situation in mind, I can help you pinpoint the precise meaning.
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