set aʊt
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- set
- Particle:
- out
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "set out" mean?
- To start a journey or begin doing something
- To explain or describe something clearly
- To arrange or display things
- To intend or aim to do something
Examples
- They set out to climb the mountain at dawn.
- The document sets out the terms of the agreement.
- She set out all the ingredients before starting to cook.
- He set out to prove his critics wrong.
- The committee set out its proposals in a detailed report.
How to use it
'Set out to do something' means to intend or aim to do it. In formal writing, 'set out' is used for explaining terms, conditions, or plans.
Word order
For beginning: not separable ('set out early'). For explaining/displaying: separable ('set the rules out' or 'set out the rules').
Similar expressions
start
begin
explain
display
intend
Opposites
arrive
conclude
hide
Related phrasal verbs
- set up
To establish or start something (business, organization, system)
- set off
To begin a journey
- 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
- set in
To begin and seem likely to continue (usually something unpleasant)
Use it in a practice answer
Try "set out" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.