1. The context and environment in which something is set
   "the perfect setting for a ghost story";
   - scene, backdrop
    
2. The state of the environment in which a situation exists
   "you can't do that in a university setting";
   - background, scope
    
3. The set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation or event
   "the historical setting";
   - context, circumstance
    
4. A position, level, or state of adjustment on a device or instrument
   "he changed the setting on the thermostat"
    
5. Arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted
   "The director's unique stage setting transported the audience to 19th century Paris";
   - mise en scène, stage setting
    
6. A table service for one person
   "a place setting of sterling flatware";
   - place setting
    
7. A mounting consisting of a piece of metal (as in a ring or other jewellery) that holds a gem in place
   "the diamond was in a plain gold setting";
   - mount
    
8. An adjustable parameter that controls how a device, program, or application functions
   "Change your privacy settings";
   - configuration, preference, option

1. Put into a certain state; cause to be in a certain state
   "set the house afire"
    
2. Fix conclusively or authoritatively
   "set the rules";
   - determine
    
3. Establish or state a specific value or set of values
   "set the parameters";
   - specify, determine, define, fix, limit
    
4. Cause to have a certain (possibly abstract) location
   "Set the tray down";
   - put, place, pose, position, lay
    
5. Establish as the highest level or best performance
   "set a record";
   - mark
    
6. Fix in a border
   "The goldsmith set the diamond"
    
7. Place in a certain position or cause to operate correctly
   "set clocks or instruments"
    
8. Alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
   "set the clock, please";
   - adjust, correct
    
9. Make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
   "I was setting up to leave town after I paid the hotel bill";
   - fix, prepare, set up, ready, gear up
    
10. Get ready for a particular purpose or event
    "set up an experiment"; "set the table";
    - set up, lay out
     
11. Put (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground
    "Let's set flowers in the garden";
    - plant
     
12. Put into a position that will restore a normal state
    "set a broken bone"
     
13. Locate or establish in a particular place
    "The film is set in Africa";
    - localize, localise [Brit], place
     
14. Style or arrange hair attractively
    "set my hair for the wedding";
    - dress, arrange, do, coif, coiffe, coiffure
     
15. Equip with sails or masts
    "The crew set the ship for its maiden voyage"; "They set up the new yacht";
    - rig, set up
     
16. (music) adapt for performance in a different way
    "set this poem to music";
    - arrange
     
17. Set in type
    "set these words in italics";
    - typeset
     
18. Give a fine, sharp edge to a knife or razor
    "The barber set the razor before shaving his client"
     
19. Insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink)
    "He set the screws to create a smooth finish";
    - countersink
     
20. Go down below the surface (esp. of water) to become submerged
    "the sun sets early these days";
    - go down, go under
     
21. Become gelatinous
    "the liquid set after we added the enzyme";
    - jell, congeal
     
22. Produce fruit
    "the apple trees set";
    - fructify
     
23. Urge to attack someone
    "He set his dogs on the intruder";
    - sic
     
24. Estimate
    "We set the time of arrival at 8 P.M.";
    - place, put
     
25. Apply or start
    "set fire to a building"

Derived forms: settings

See also: reserve, set off, specify, travel, trigger

Type of: act, alter, approximate, arrange, assail, assault, attack, bury, change, choose, come down, compose, descend, displace, environment, environs, equip, establish, estimate, father, fit, fit out, gauge, go down, groom, hone, impress, initiate, judge, lay down, make, modify, mounting, move, multiply, neaten, originate, outfit, pick out, place, position, present, print, procreate, represent, reproduce, select, service, set on, set up, sink, solidify, stage, start, surround, surroundings, table service, take, write

Encyclopedia: Setting