setout: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal; common in written and spoken English.
Quick answer
What does “setout” mean?
To begin a journey or to start doing something with a specific intention or plan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To begin a journey or to start doing something with a specific intention or plan.
To explain, describe, or arrange ideas, facts, or items in a clear and orderly way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. 'Set off' is a more common UK synonym for beginning a journey.
Connotations
In both varieties, it conveys purposeful, organized action.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in written, particularly formal, contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “setout” in a Sentence
[Subject] + set out + to-infinitive (e.g., She set out to prove them wrong)[Subject] + set out + [Object] (e.g., He set out his ideas in the report)[Subject] + set out + for/on + [Noun Phrase] (e.g., They set out for London at dawn)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “setout” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They set out for the Lake District at first light.
- The white paper sets out the government's position on healthcare reform.
- She set out to climb all the Munros before she was thirty.
American English
- We set out for Chicago right after breakfast.
- The Constitution sets out the basic rights of citizens.
- He set out to build his own business from scratch.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in proposals and plans: 'The report sets out the company's strategy for the next quarter.'
Academic
Used to describe the structure of a paper or argument: 'In the introduction, the author sets out the key research questions.'
Everyday
Used for journeys and personal goals: 'We set out early to avoid the traffic.' 'He set out to learn Spanish in a year.'
Technical
Used in instructions, legal documents, or engineering plans to describe specifications: 'The contract clearly sets out the obligations of both parties.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “setout”
- Using 'setout' as one word (it's two: set out).
- Confusing it with 'set up' (to establish/organize).
- Incorrect preposition: 'set out on a goal' (correct: 'set out to achieve a goal' or 'set out on a journey').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the phrasal verb 'set out', written as two separate words. 'Setout' as one word is not standard, though it can be a rare noun (e.g., the setout of a room).
Both can mean to begin a journey. 'Set out' often implies a longer, more planned journey or a purposeful start to a task. 'Set off' is more neutral for starting a journey and has other meanings (e.g., to trigger an alarm).
Yes, it is very common in formal writing, especially in the meaning 'to explain or describe systematically' (e.g., 'The guidelines are set out in Appendix A').
Three main patterns: 1) set out + to-infinitive (to express a goal), 2) set out + object (to explain something), 3) set out + for/on + place/journey (to begin traveling).
To begin a journey or to start doing something with a specific intention or plan.
Setout: in British English it is pronounced /ˌset ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛt ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Set out your stall (UK: to show your abilities/intentions clearly)”
- “Set out on the right/wrong foot (to begin an endeavor well/badly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a treasure map with a dotted line starting at a big 'X' with the words 'SET OUT HERE'. You SET your foot OUT of the starting point.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING A JOURNEY IS STARTING A LINE; EXPLAINING IS LAYING OBJECTS IN A ROW.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'set out' CORRECTLY?