setting

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The place and time in which a story, film or event happens.

   Grammar: Countable: a setting for the novel.

   Patterns

   • the setting for something
   • set in a setting

   The novel's setting is a small fishing village.

   The garden was a perfect setting for the wedding.

   Paris is a popular setting for romance films.

2. 2nouncountable

   One of the options on a device or program that can be changed.

   Grammar: Often plural: change the settings.

   Patterns

   • change the settings
   • the settings menu

   Open the settings and turn off notifications.

   The oven has several heat settings.

   I adjusted the privacy settings.

3. 3nouncountable

   The surroundings or type of place where something takes place.

   Grammar: Usually describes an environment: a school setting.

   Patterns

   • in a setting
   • a clinical setting

   She prefers learning in a small-group setting.

   Doctors work in a hospital setting.

   The jewel looks lovely in a silver setting.

4. 4nouncountable

   The frame or mount that holds a gem in jewelry.

   Grammar: Countable: a ring setting.

   Patterns

   • a setting for a stone

   The diamond sat in a platinum setting.

   She chose an antique setting.

   The setting was damaged.

Word forms

Common combinations

default setting

Reset the phone to its default settings.

historical setting

The play has a historical setting.

rural setting

They wanted a rural setting for their home.

privacy settings

Check your privacy settings.

in a formal setting

Avoid slang in a formal setting.

Synonyms and how they differ

backdrop

Backdrop suggests the scenery behind the main action, while setting is the whole place and time.

context

Context includes surrounding circumstances and ideas, not just the physical place.

environment

Environment focuses on conditions around living things or work, not on stories.

option

Option is a choice you can make, while setting is the value or place in which it is stored.

Word family

set verb

to put in a position or arrange

settle verb

to come to rest or make stable

offset noun

something that cancels out another thing

setup noun

an arrangement or organization

Commonly confused: setting or settling?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “setting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words