adj
Meaning 1
In a position to function; ready.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- Now that I'm set up, this will take moments!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Phrase guide
set up
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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/ˌsɛt ˈʌp/
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sĕt' ŭp'
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
verb
Meaning 2
To make ready for use.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- We set up the sprinkler.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 3
To arrange logically.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- Set up my CD collection.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 4
To cause to happen.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- Even a minor change can set up new bugs.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 5
To trap or ensnare.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- I've got to set up that tasty rabbit.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 6
To arrange for an outcome; to tamper or rig.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- The election was set up!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 7
To prepare or get ready.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- Used with an implied object obvious from context.
- Give me a minute — I'm still setting up.
- The band is setting up.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 8
To gel or harden.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- Give the cement 24 hours to set up before walking on it.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 9
To level to rise in one part of a body of water, especially a shallow one, because of a storm surge caused by persistent wind.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- The level set up at the south end of the lake after a day of north winds.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 10
To provide the money or other support that someone needs for an important task or activity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- Winning the lottery has set them up for life.
- A good breakfast really sets you up for the day.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 11
To establish someone in a business or position.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- After he left college, his father set him up in the family business.
- She set herself up as an interior designer.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 12
To trick or lure (someone) in order to entrap them.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal, transitive
Topics: criminology, human-sciences, law, sciences
Examples
- They claimed that they weren't selling drugs, but that they'd been set up by the police.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: frame, frame up, put up
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 13
To make (someone) proud or conceited (often in passive).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 14
To matchmake; to arrange a date between two people.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 15
To create a goalscoring opportunity (for).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 16
To begin business or a scheme of life.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, intransitive
Examples
- to set up in trade; to set up for oneself
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 17
To profess openly; to make pretensions.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- 1744 (first printed) Jonathan Swift, On the Testimony of Conscience those men who set up for morality without regard to religion, are generally virtuous but in part
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 18
To found; to start (a business, scheme)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 19
To deceive an opponent and capitalize on their reactions with a certain technique or maneuver.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: boxing, government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 20
To cause to take flight; to flush into the air.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 21
Synonym of compose (To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
Topics: media, printing, publishing
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: compose
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 22
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- Get the children ready for school!
- prepare for war
- I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: fix, prepare, ready, gear up, set
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: change, alter, modify
Narrower terms: socialize, socialise, provide, cram, precondition, fix, mount, set up, lay out, set, winterize, winterise, summerize, summerise, prime, cultivate, crop, work, brace, poise
verb
Meaning 23
get ready for a particular purpose or event
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- set up an experiment
- set the table
- lay out the tools for the surgery
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: lay out, set
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fix, prepare, set up, ready, gear up, set
verb
Meaning 24
equip with sails or masts
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- rig a ship
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rig, set
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: equip, fit, fit out, outfit
verb
Meaning 25
arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- arrange my schedule
- set up one's life
- I put these memories with those of bygone times
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: arrange, put, order
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: organize, organise
Narrower terms: synchronize, synchronise, contemporize, contemporise, phrase
verb
Meaning 26
put into a proper or systematic order
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- arrange the books on the shelves in chronological order
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: arrange
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: put, set, place, pose, position, lay
Narrower terms: regularize, regularise, order, straighten, rearrange, serialize, serialise, alphabetize, alphabetise, organize, organise, coordinate, stratify, string, thread, draw, marshal, string out, spread out, preen, plume, stack, chain, pair, geminate, concord, cascade, settle, pyramid, corral, catenate, catenulate, dress, decorate, range, array, lay out, set out, pack, bundle, wad, compact, pile, heap, stagger, distribute, drape, set, gradate, line up
verb
Meaning 27
erect and fasten
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- pitch a tent
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: pitch
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rear, erect
Narrower terms: camp, camp down
verb
Meaning 28
set up for use
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- install the washer and dryer
- We put in a new sink
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: install, instal, put in
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: put, set, place, pose, position, lay
Narrower terms: retrofit, reinstall, post, put up
verb
Meaning 29
place
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- Her manager had set her up at the Ritz
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: install, instal, establish
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 30
produce
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- The scientists set up a shock wave
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: effect, effectuate
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: cause, do, make
Narrower terms: carry through, accomplish, execute, carry out, action, fulfill, fulfil, draw, get, precipitate, induce, stimulate, rush, hasten, serve
verb
Meaning 31
create by putting components or members together
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- She pieced a quilt
- He tacked together some verses
- They set up a committee
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: assemble, piece, put together, tack, tack together
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: join, bring together, make, create
Narrower terms: confect, confection, comfit, jumble, confuse, mix up, reassemble, configure, compound, rig up
verb
Meaning 32
construct, build, or erect
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- Raise a barn
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: raise, erect, rear, put up
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: construct, build, make
verb
Meaning 33
begin, or enable someone else to begin, a venture by providing the means, logistics, etc.
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- set up an election
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: organize, organise, prepare, devise, get up, machinate
verb
Meaning 34
set up or found
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- She set up a literacy program
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: establish, found, launch
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: open, open up
verb
Meaning 35
arrange the outcome of by means of deceit
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- rig an election
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rig
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: cheat, chisel
verb
Meaning 36
take or catch as if in a snare or trap
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- I was set up!
- The innocent man was framed by the police
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: ensnare, entrap, frame
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: deceive, lead on, delude, cozen
History
Etymology
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
Translations
124 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Bulgarian: установен (ustanoven) — in a position to function
- Estonian: valmis — in a position to function
- Finnish: valmis — in a position to function
- Persian: برپایدن — in a position to function
- Portuguese: preparado — in a position to function
- Portuguese: pronto — in a position to function
- Spanish: preparado — in a position to function
- Spanish: listo — in a position to function
- Azerbaijani: quraşdırmaq — to ready something for use
- Bulgarian: установявам (ustanovjavam) — to ready something for use
- Catalan: preparar — to ready something for use
- Catalan: muntar — to ready something for use
- Czech: připravit — to ready something for use
- Dutch: bereiden — to ready something for use
- Dutch: voorbereiden — to ready something for use
- Dutch: opzetten — to ready something for use
- Dutch: klaarzetten — to ready something for use
- Egyptian: g:r-grg (grg) — to ready something for use
- Esperanto: akomodi — to ready something for use
- Estonian: paigaldama — to ready something for use
- Finnish: asentaa — to ready something for use
- Finnish: valmistella — to ready something for use
- Finnish: ottaa käyttöön — to ready something for use
- French: mettre en place — to ready something for use
- French: installer — to ready something for use
- German: aufbauen — to ready something for use
- German: für den Einsatz vorbereiten — to ready something for use
- German: einrichten — to ready something for use
- German: installieren — to ready something for use
- Hungarian: beállít — to ready something for use
- Hungarian: felállít — to ready something for use
- Hungarian: összerak — to ready something for use
- Irish: cuir ar bun — to ready something for use
- Italian: preparare — to ready something for use
- Italian: installare — to ready something for use
- Italian: approntare — to ready something for use
- Italian: mettere a punto — to ready something for use
- Italian: creare — to ready something for use
- Central Kurdish: دامەزراندن (damezrandin) — to ready something for use
- Latin: sistō — to ready something for use
- Māori: whakakaupapa — to ready something for use
- Neapolitan: apparà — to ready something for use
- Polish: przygotowywać — to ready something for use
- Polish: przygotować — to ready something for use
- Portuguese: preparar — to ready something for use
- Russian: устана́вливать (ustanávlivatʹ) — to ready something for use
- Russian: установи́ть (ustanovítʹ) — to ready something for use
- Spanish: disponer — to ready something for use
- Spanish: montar — to ready something for use
- Ottoman Turkish: دوزمك (düzmek) — to ready something for use
- Bulgarian: разполагам (razpolagam) — to order logically
- Dutch: regelen — to order logically
- Dutch: schikken — to order logically
- Estonian: korrastama — to order logically
- Finnish: järjestää — to order logically
- Hungarian: elrendez — to order logically
- Hungarian: rendbe rak — to order logically
- Italian: riordinare — to order logically
- Central Kurdish: ڕێک خستن (rêk xistin) — to order logically
- Russian: расставля́ть (rasstavljátʹ) — to order logically
- Russian: расста́вить (rasstávitʹ) — to order logically
- Russian: располага́ть (raspolagátʹ) — to order logically
- Russian: расположи́ть (raspoložítʹ) — to order logically
- Bulgarian: причинявам (pričinjavam) — to cause to happen
- Czech: způsobit — to cause to happen
- Czech: vyvolat — to cause to happen
- Dutch: veroorzaken — to cause to happen
- Dutch: leiden — to cause to happen
- Estonian: põhjustama — to cause to happen
- Finnish: aiheuttaa — to cause to happen
- Italian: causare — to cause to happen
- Italian: determinare — to cause to happen
- Russian: вызыва́ть (vyzyvátʹ) — to cause to happen
- Russian: вы́звать (výzvatʹ) — to cause to happen
- Bulgarian: поставям (postavjam) — to trap or ensnare
- Bulgarian: поставя (postavja) — to trap or ensnare
- Chinese Mandarin: 下套 (xiàtào) — to trap or ensnare
- Chinese Mandarin: 誣陷 /诬陷 (wūxiàn) — to trap or ensnare
- Dutch: verstrikken — to trap or ensnare
- Estonian: püüdma — to trap or ensnare
- Finnish: pyydystää — to trap or ensnare
- Finnish: lavastaa — to trap or ensnare
- French: coincer — to trap or ensnare
- French: entourlouper — to trap or ensnare
- Hungarian: tőrbe csal — to trap or ensnare
- Hungarian: csapdát állít — to trap or ensnare
- Hungarian: csőbe húz — to trap or ensnare
- Italian: catturare — to trap or ensnare
- Italian: intrappolare — to trap or ensnare
- Russian: подставля́ть (podstavljátʹ) — to trap or ensnare
- Russian: подста́вить (podstávitʹ) — to trap or ensnare
- Bulgarian: нагласявам (naglasjavam) — to arrange for an outcome
- Bulgarian: наглася (naglasja) — to arrange for an outcome
- Czech: zmanipulovat — to arrange for an outcome
- Dutch: regelen — to arrange for an outcome
- Estonian: kallutama — to arrange for an outcome
- Finnish: manipuloida — to arrange for an outcome
- Finnish: väärentää — to arrange for an outcome
- Italian: manipolare — to arrange for an outcome
- Polish: aranżować — to arrange for an outcome
- Polish: zaaranżować — to arrange for an outcome
- Polish: urządzać — to arrange for an outcome
- Polish: urządzić — to arrange for an outcome
- Polish: organizować — to arrange for an outcome
- Polish: zorganizować — to arrange for an outcome
- Russian: подстра́ивать (podstráivatʹ) — to arrange for an outcome
- Russian: подстро́ить (podstróitʹ) — to arrange for an outcome
- Bulgarian: втвърдявам се (vtvǎrdjavam se) — to gel or harden
- Czech: zatuhnout — to gel or harden
- Dutch: verharden — to gel or harden
- Dutch: harden — to gel or harden
- Dutch: verstokken — to gel or harden
- Dutch: stollen — to gel or harden
- Estonian: tahkuma — to gel or harden
- Finnish: kovettua — to gel or harden
- Finnish: jähmettyä — to gel or harden
- Italian: assestarsi — to gel or harden
- Italian: solidificarsi — to gel or harden
- Russian: застыва́ть (zastyvátʹ) — to gel or harden
- Russian: засты́ть (zastýtʹ) — to gel or harden
- Russian: засты́нуть (zastýnutʹ) — to gel or harden
- Russian: затвердева́ть (zatverdevátʹ) — to gel or harden
- Russian: затверде́ть (zatverdétʹ) — to gel or harden
- Spanish: fortalecerse — to gel or harden