Meaning & use
preset
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Set or arranged in advance, before use or need.
Grammar: Usually used before a noun: 'a preset temperature'.
Patterns
- preset something
- preset at something
The oven has a preset temperature for baking bread.
You can adjust the preset channels on your TV.
The alarm was preset to go off at 6 a.m.
nouncountable
A saved setting or configuration that can be selected instead of adjusting manually.
Grammar: Countable; often used in the plural: 'choose one of the presets'.
Patterns
- a preset for something
- save a preset
- use a preset
The camera has several presets for different lighting conditions.
I saved my favorite settings as a preset.
You can switch between presets with one button.
Word forms
| plural | presets |
|---|
Common combinations
- preset menu
- The preset menu on the radio lets you find stations quickly.
- preset option
- Choose a preset option to apply the filter.
- preset value
- The preset value for the timer is 30 minutes.
- factory preset
- You can restore the factory presets if you make a mistake.
Synonyms and how they differ
- default
- Refers to the setting that is automatically used unless you change it, while preset emphasizes that it was set beforehand.
- predefined
- Similar but more formal; often used for rules or limits.
Opposites
Word family
- preset verb
- To set in advance.
Commonly confused: preset or preside?
preset vs preside
Means to be in charge of a meeting or ceremony; completely different meaning.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'preset' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Preset' as a noun is often followed by 'on' to indicate the device it belongs to: 'the preset on the microwave'. The other prepositions ('of', 'for', 'to') do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “preset”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.