easy
The story’s setting is a seaside town during winter.
What does Setting mean?
A setting is the time, place, and surroundings of an event or story, or an adjustable choice on a device.
Dictionary definition
A setting is the place, time, and surrounding conditions in which real events or a story happen. It can also mean an adjustable choice on a device, the position in which something is set, a holder for a jewel, the dishes and utensils arranged for one person, theatrical scenery, or music written for a text.
Example sentences
Setting in a sentence
easy
We chose a quiet park as the setting for our picnic.
medium
Lower the screen-brightness setting before bedtime.
medium
The jeweler placed the blue stone in a silver setting.
hard
Each place setting included a plate, cup, fork, and spoon.
hard
The choir performed a new musical setting of the poem.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Setting
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does setting mean in “The novel begins in a mountain village in 1905” ?
The place and year show the story-setting sense.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses the device meaning of setting?
A privacy setting is an adjustable choice in software or on a device.
Practice 3
Choose the best word: The ____ tells where and when the story happens.
Setting identifies the story’s time, place, and surrounding conditions.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Setting
Voice settings
Sounds like
set · ing · strongest beat: set
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordSetting.
Partnoun.
MeaningSetting means A setting is the time, place, and surroundings of an event or story, or an adjustable choice on a device.
ExampleExample: The story’s setting is a seaside town during winter.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- set · ing
- Strongest beat
- set
- Ending
- ing
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on set.
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Nice work—you practiced setting.
Synonyms
Words like Setting
environmentClose when setting means the surroundings and conditions in which something happens.
backgroundClose for the time, place, and circumstances behind an event or story.
locationClose when the place is the most important part of a setting, though setting may also include time and social conditions.
optionClose only when setting means an adjustable device or software choice.
mountClose only for the holder in which a jewel or other object is fixed.
Antonym review
Does Setting have an opposite?
Setting has no single direct opposite across its story, environment, device, jewelry, table, scenery, and music senses. Plot and character are different story elements, not antonyms.
Synonym practice
Want to practice setting synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The forest was the setting of the adventure story," then compare close word choices. Practice setting synonyms.
Word family
Setting word family
Base word
set
noun
settings
More than one environment, arrangement, or adjustable choice.
verb
reset
To set something again or return it to an earlier setting.
noun
setter
A person or thing that sets something; it is also the name of a type of dog.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Setting
Hint for students
Look for time-and-place clues, surrounding-condition clues, or an adjustable choice on a device.
Common mix-up
Setting is not the same as plot or character. Setting tells when, where, and under what conditions events happen; plot tells what happens. On a device, a setting is an adjustable choice.
Try it in class or at home
Sort six examples into story environment, real-life environment, device option, jewel holder, table arrangement, and musical setting. Underline the clue that signals each sense.
Teacher prompt
Compare a story setting, a social setting, a phone setting, and a jewel setting. Which context clues identify each meaning?
Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
This word is part of WordHive's researched School Words collection. Spin the complete wheel to review meanings, discuss classroom connections, and practice using school vocabulary in sentences.
Learning activities
Practice Setting and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice SETTING” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice SETTING
Sentence Builder
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Vocabulary Match
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Context Clue Challenge
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Use context clues
Practice SETTING
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes SETTING.
Practice SETTING
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