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to set

to set

2 8.4
To give a sharp edge to a knife or razor
  • verb
  • /sɛt/
translation icon : afilar
  • It was a star sapphire ring with two diamonds set in an ornately carved gold band.
  • set the edge
  • set the razor
  • set the knife

Examples

  • She skillfully set the razor to create a sharp edge for a clean shave.

  • You just let that set because it's going to give you a hard edge.

  • He picked it up and returned to the bull and set the edge of the blade to its neck.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • It was a gold teardrop earring, set with an aquamarine.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • In woodworking class, we learned how to set the blade to ensure it was sharp enough for precise cuts.

  • Before using the knife, make sure to set its edge properly to avoid any accidents.

Synonyms

to sharpen
vsto set
35 2.1

To make the edge or tip of something thin and able to cut, like a knife

gives a finer, final edge especially for knives or razors
to edge
vsto set
1 4.2

To give something a border or to make its side sharp

gives a fine sharp cutting finish rather than adding a border
to strap
vsto set
  • UK
1 7.4

To sharpen a razor by rubbing it on a leather band

gives a precise cutting finish rather than naming the rubbing tool
to strop
vsto set
8.6

To rub a blade on leather to make its edge smooth and sharp

gives a very fine final edge for blades and razors

Idioms

all set
  • Informal
170 1.6

Completely ready to begin

Give the true facts to fix a wrong idea

dead set
  • Informal
18 6.5

Firmly decided to do something or strongly against doing it

set in stone
  • Informal
10 3.9

Not able to be changed

dead set on
  • Informal
9 4.8

Want something very much and do not change their mind

dead set against
  • Informal
8 6.8

Being completely against an idea or plan

set for life
  • Informal
8 4.2

Enough money to live without working for the rest of your life

4 7.1

To have a big success that many people notice

4 7.2

Not willing to change habits or the way they do things

To arrive so regularly that people can tell the time by your arrival

1 3.9

Make a high goal for others to reach

Start a series of actions that lead to later changes

to grow a set
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To become more brave and confident when facing problems

to sun set on
  • Informal
1 6.8

To show that a time or relationship has ended

1 6.0

To make someone feel very excited, often suddenly

9.6

To make people argue or fight

To step onto solid ground after being on a boat or in a plane

9.9

To try to get someone to marry you

To begin working very hard and not give up on a difficult task

To cause great excitement or a big effect, often said to mean something is not impressive

Phrasal Verbs

983 2.7

To assemble and prepare equipment or objects so they are ready to use

683 3.4

To make something begin, for example a business

218 2.7

To let a person or animal go after keeping them in a place where they could not leave

150 3.2

To start doing something with a clear aim

146 6.2

To trick someone so they appear guilty by using false evidence

131 3.1

To cause something to start or happen

110 3.4

To happen in a particular time and place, often for stories and films

110 3.0

Make something start burning

99 3.2

To go into a place, often for the first time

96 3.9

To correct a wrong idea and make things clear

87 3.4

Save money or time for a special purpose

70 1.7

To put something or someone down gently on a surface

66 2.4

To begin a journey to go to another place

64 5.4

To begin and then continue, often about bad things like rain or worry

57 2.4

To begin a journey toward a place

Prepare conditions that make an event or change likely

37 4.2

To cause a delay and slow progress

Create a mood at the start of an event

32 3.2

To arrange objects or information in a clear organized way

to set forth
  • Formal
29 4.2

To state something clearly in writing or speech

To make something begin to move or happen

25 2.9

To start a journey by boat or ship

22 3.9

Temporarily stop a rule or policy from being used

21 3.4

To start doing something in a determined way

13 3.8

To write words or information so they are recorded

to set back
  • Informal
12 5.8

To cost someone a lot of money

to set the mood
  • Informal
11 3.7

To make a place feel a certain way with lights, music, or decorations

to set aside
  • Formal
10 7.6

Cancel a court decision so it is no longer valid

9 3.6

To land on the ground or another surface

to set on
  • Offensive
8 5.8

To attack someone physically or with mean words

7 3.7

To make something stand out against its background

Make the speed or level that others follow

To begin working right away with energy

To make something start burning

5 6.9

To attack someone suddenly from several sides

5 4.2

To correct a wrong idea or explain what really happened

Make your phone or clock ring at a chosen time to wake you

4 3.2

To take people or goods off a vehicle and leave them at a place

Write music for a poem or other words so they can be sung

To start a set of events where each event makes the next happen

3 3.9

To begin a journey to a place

2 3.9

To keep something separate for a special use or to show it as different

2 4.1

Make something start to burn

To make something start burning

Decide on a clear goal to reach

1 4.2

To make something start burning

to set phaser
  • Jargon
1 9.9

To adjust a phaser to a chosen power or mode before use

to set store by
  • Archaic
1 7.9

To think something is important and worth attention

To place people to look for danger and protect others

9.2

To cover a wall with two coats of plaster to make it smooth

To move a clock or watch forward to show a later time

To create a relaxed, calm feeling with music or lights

To make a clear line between two areas or kinds of activity

to set a spell
  • Archaic
9.4

To sit and rest for a short time and talk

To bring people or things from a boat onto land

To make up for a problem by adding something good

To create a mood in a place with light, music, or decorations

To choose a date and time for a game

9.1

To make someone look guilty for something they did not do by tricking other people

8.7

Make a small outdoor shelter to sleep in

to set up a honeypot
  • Specialized
8.1

To create a fake target to attract and find people who attack or steal data

To put temporary barriers on a road to slow or send traffic another way

Compounds

A machine with a screen that shows moving pictures and sound

43 1.0

A machine with a screen that shows moving pictures and sound

11 1.0

A frame with seats hanging by chains or ropes for children to swing back and forth

set of wheels
  • Informal
8 5.0

A car or other vehicle someone owns

6 1.4

A matching set of cups, saucers, and a teapot used to serve tea

5 2.5

A board and 32 pieces used to play chess

3 2.4

A matching group of furniture for a bedroom like a bed and dresser

3 3.6

The background and objects on a stage that show where and when a play happens

2 4.9

An eye set far back in the head that makes the eye area look deep and dark

2 5.1

A long planned sequence in a film or game that shows big action

2 2.1

A matching table with chairs used for eating in a dining room

radio set
  • Archaic
2 2.3

A machine that receives broadcasts through the air and plays them as sound

1 2.1

A group of matching furniture for a living room like a sofa and chairs

1 6.8

A group of rich fashionable people who often travel for pleasure

set decoration
  • Specialized
1 3.7

Objects and items used to make a film or play scene look real

1 6.8

A single item of stage scenery like a painted tree

set theory
  • Specialized
1 7.6

The study of sets, groups of things, and how they relate

1 4.9

Kept in advance for a particular use or person

1 1.0

A box of small plastic bricks and parts for building models like cars or houses

1 1.2

A toy with small trains and tracks to play with

set-to
  • UK
1 8.2

A short argument or small fight that is often noisy

character set
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A group of letters, numbers, and symbols used for writing and showing text

1 5.1

Placed very near each other, often for eyes or teeth

Mandelbrot set
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A set of complex numbers that makes a very detailed, repeating shape when drawn on a graph

1 4.4

A moment when a player needs one more point to win the set

1 1.3

A matching set of plates, bowls, and cups for serving dinner

1 8.5

People who love horses and take part in riding or racing

1 7.4

A rich, glamorous life with frequent travel to fashionable places

null set
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A set that has no members

receiving set
  • Archaic
1 6.1

A machine like a radio that receives and makes broadcast signals stronger

train set
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A group of example data used to teach a computer program

1 3.7

A group of connected tubes that carry water or gas through a building

1 3.9

A basketball move in which a player stands still and uses both hands to put the ball in the basket

1 6.7

Feeling separate from other people or different from them

smart set
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A group of connected home devices like lights or speakers you control together

smart set
  • Archaic
1 8.2

A group of fashionable people in high society

A set of decorative coasters used to protect surfaces from drink stains

A computer design where the main processor runs many built-in instructions

A computer design where the processor runs many complex commands directly in hardware

crystal set
  • Archaic
8.9

A simple early radio that uses a crystal to receive signals without a battery

Eyebrows that sit back above the eyes and make the face look intense

A set of matching furniture for a dining room, usually a table and chairs

A set of drum pads and an electronic sound unit played like a drum kit

ASCII character set
  • Specialized
5.2

A set of 128 basic computer characters for letters, numbers, symbols, and control codes

A number of times you repeat one movement without rest

friendly set-to
  • Archaic
5.9

A short, mild argument between people who are not angry

A set of matching furniture for a room where people sit and relax, like a sofa and chairs

A small group of tools for caring for nails and hands

4.9

A toy with metal strips, plates, and wheels you join with nuts and bolts to build moving models

8.5

A group of people who like horses, especially riding and racing

A computer design that uses a small set of simple commands to work faster

A computer design using a small set of simple instructions for faster processors that use less power

saw set
  • Specialized
9.6

A small tool that bends every other tooth of a saw blade outward

3.7

A group of swing jazz songs played together to make people dance

A device for making and receiving phone calls

set chisel
  • Specialized
8.1

A narrow steel tool for cutting stone and bricks

set gun
  • NSFW
9.9

A hidden gun that fires as a trap when someone trips a wire

set phrase
  • Specialized
5.7

A fixed group of words that mean something different from the words alone

3.9

A tool to draw and check right angles

set-back
  • Specialized
8.3

A part of a building where the wall becomes narrower in steps

set-out
  • Formal
4.4

A clear statement of facts, reasons or plans

set-out
  • Specialized
3.9

The arrangement of text and images on a page or screen

set-out
  • Specialized
7.0

The marking of exact positions on the ground for building work

universal set
  • Specialized
7.0

All the things we consider in a math problem, including every smaller group

via ferrata set
  • Specialized
9.9

Climbing gear that has a safety strap and two metal clips for via ferrata routes

How Sharp

to strop
8.6
to set
2 8.4
to hone
8 5.5
to sharpen
35 2.1

Surface Forms

set infinitive
set past
set past participle
setting present participle
sets third person singular

Etymology

Set (to give a sharp edge to a blade) comes from the idea of making or fixing the blade in the right position or shape so it cuts well. A barber or chef who sets a blade is making the edge ready and fixed for use.