SET OUT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does set out mean? 

• SET OUT (verb)
  The verb SET OUT has 3 senses:

1. take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

2. lay out orderly or logically in a line or as if in a line

3. leave

  Familiarity information: SET OUT used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SET OUT (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

begin; commence; get; get down; set about; set out; start; start out

Context example:

Let's get down to work now

Verb group:

begin (begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "set out"):

strike out (set out on a course of action)

bestir oneself; get cracking; get going; get moving; get rolling; get started; get weaving (start to be active)

embark; enter (set out on (an enterprise or subject of study))

come on (occur or become available)

launch; plunge (begin with vigor)

break in (start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role)

attack (set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task)

auspicate (commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck)

get to (arrive at the point of)

jump off (set off quickly, usually with success)

fall (begin vigorously)

recommence (begin again)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lay out orderly or logically in a line or as if in a line

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

array; lay out; range; set out

Context example:

lay out the arguments

Hypernyms (to "set out" is one way to...):

arrange; set up (put into a proper or systematic order)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "set out"):

compart (lay out in parts according to a plan)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Leave

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

depart; part; set forth; set off; set out; start; start out; take off

Context example:

The family took off for Florida

Hypernyms (to "set out" is one way to...):

go away; go forth; leave (go away from a place)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "set out"):

lift off; take off (depart from the ground)

roar off (leave)

blaze; blaze out (move rapidly and as if blazing)

sally forth; sally out (set out in a sudden, energetic or violent manner)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

The children set out to the playground

 Context examples 

Without a word he went and locked the door, and then began to set out on the little table the instruments for yet another operation of transfusion of blood.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

A team of researchers, led by Dr. Luis Ulloa of Rutgers University, set out to determine whether they could use eletroacupuncture to activate this nerve and thus modify inflammatory responses.

(Electroacupuncture Reduces Sepsis in Mice, NIH)

In this study, the researchers set out to identify changes in the brain brought on by the mutations in a gene called GNPTAB, one of the genes previously linked to stuttering.

(Study in mice identifies type of brain cell involved in stuttering, National Institutes of Health)

They set out on their way, but when they arrived, the pot of fat certainly was still in its place, but it was empty.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

No, but it did not absolutely rain when I set out.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Jeannette, with a kiss I set out.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Of course I dropped everything and set out for the North once more.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A team of researchers from Washington University School of Medicine set out to examine the connections among vitamin D, immune function, atherosclerosis, and insulin resistance.

(How Vitamin D May Affect Heart Disease, Diabetes, NIH)

When the party broke up, Lydia returned with Mrs. Forster to Meryton, from whence they were to set out early the next morning.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Holmes and I had taken things for the night, and found comfortable quarters at the Bull. Finally we set out in the company of the detective on our visit to Wisteria Lodge.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)