set-in
adjective
made separately and placed within another unit.
set-in
American
[set-in]
/ ˈsɛtˌɪn /
adjective
set in
British
verb
-
to become established
the winter has set in
-
(of wind) to blow or (of current) to move towards shore
adjective
set in
Idioms
-
Insert, put in, as in I still have to set in the sleeves and then the sweater will be done . [Late 1300s]
-
Begin to happen or become apparent, as in Darkness was setting in as I left . [c. 1700]
-
Move toward the shore, said of wind or water, as in The tide sets in very quickly here . [Early 1700s]
Etymology
Origin of set-in
First recorded in 1525–35; adj. use of verb phrase set in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“As a fisher that chases fish, it is really hard to go back to a set-in position just hoping the fish come to you. That’s a real adjustment.”
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 6, 2023
This technique might do the trick on its own, but it also doubles as a pre-treatment for set-in stains on removable cushion covers that need to head to the laundry room.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2022
Max Mara’s oversized camel Teddy Bear Icon wool faux-fur coat has a rich and luxurious vibe with lapels, low set-in sleeves, double-breasted two-button fastening and welt pockets. $3,990.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 29, 2018
Take note: Her knee-covering straight skirts delivered a precise fit, due to the set-in waistband and back center zipper in most styles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2015
Mr. Courtenay has published some epistles in rhyme, in which he has honoured me with a dozen lines, and which are really some of the best in the whole set-in ridicule of my writings.
From The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 4 by Horace Walpole
Oh, and if you didn’t think a novel set in the world of poetry could be comical, you’d be wrong.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Gwenllian has most recently been filming a dark comedy set in Swansea.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Just because you cannot mimic your friends’ career paths doesn’t mean your own is set in stone.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
The projected figure surpassed Samsung’s previous record of about 89 trillion won set in the second quarter and largely met a FactSet-compiled consensus estimate for the third quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Before you leave, the fortune-teller reminds you that the future is never set in stone.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
