set out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
CommonNeutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “set out” mean?
To begin a journey or start an activity with a specific purpose.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To begin a journey or start an activity with a specific purpose.
To explain or describe something in a clear and detailed manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; usage is largely identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Both convey a sense of purposeful beginning or presentation.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “set out” in a Sentence
intransitive: subject + set outtransitive: subject + set out + objectVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “set out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They set out at dawn for their hike in the Lake District.
- She set out her reasons for the decision in a memo.
American English
- We set out early to avoid the traffic on the freeway.
- He set out the guidelines clearly in the manual.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to present business strategies or plans, e.g., 'set out a proposal'.
Academic
Common in research to explain methodologies or arguments, e.g., 'set out the framework'.
Everyday
Frequent in conversation about starting trips or tasks, e.g., 'set out for work'.
Technical
Occasional in legal or formal documents to outline procedures, e.g., 'set out the terms'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “set out”
- Using 'set out' transitively without an object, e.g., incorrect: 'He set out to explain the plan' (correct) vs. 'He set out the explain' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Set out' often implies a planned beginning with a specific objective, while 'start out' can be more general, meaning to begin something without emphasizing detailed preparation.
Yes, 'set out' is appropriate in formal contexts such as academic, business, or legal documents to describe presenting information or initiating a process.
Yes, when used transitively, 'set out' can be separable, e.g., 'He set the plan out' or 'He set out the plan'. Both forms are acceptable.
'Set out' uses 'set' as the base form, which is irregular. Past tense and past participle are also 'set out', e.g., 'They set out yesterday' or 'They have set out'.
To begin a journey or start an activity with a specific purpose.
Set out: in British English it is pronounced /sɛt aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɛt aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set out one's stall”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine setting out a map before a trip—it helps you start with direction and purpose.
Conceptual Metaphor
Beginning as embarking on a path or journey.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'set out' mean in the sentence: 'The company set out its goals in the annual report.'?