set ɪn
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- set
- Particle:
- in
- Separable:
- No
What does "set in" mean?
- To begin and seem likely to continue (usually something unpleasant)
- To become established
Examples
- Winter has set in early this year.
- Panic set in when they realized they were lost.
- Before rot sets in, you should treat the wood.
- Reality set in after the initial excitement faded.
- Boredom began to set in after the first hour.
How to use it
Typically used for unpleasant or challenging conditions (weather, illness, negative emotions). Suggests something is beginning and will persist for some time.
Similar expressions
begin
start
arrive
take hold
become established
Opposites
end
fade
disappear
Related phrasal verbs
- set up
To establish or start something (business, organization, system)
- set off
To begin a journey
- set out
To start a journey or begin doing something
- set aside
To save or reserve something for a particular purpose
- set back
To delay the progress or development of something
- set down
To put something down carefully
Use it in a practice answer
Try "set in" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.