Setup
/ˈsɛtʌp/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe way something is arranged or organized; the components of something and how they are arranged.
/ˈsɛtʌp/
An arrangement or organization of things.
The studio has an impressive sound system setup.
💡 Simply: It's like how things are arranged. Imagine you're setting up toys to play. The setup is how you put them down.
👶 For kids: How things are arranged to make something work. Like putting your blocks together!
More Examples
The setup of the experiment was carefully planned.
The photographer adjusted the lighting setup before the photoshoot began.
How It's Used
"The software's setup was complicated."
"The new business venture has a promising setup."
The process or act of organizing and preparing something for a particular purpose.
/ˈsɛtʌp/
The act or process of arranging or preparing something.
The setup for the concert began early in the morning.
💡 Simply: Getting something ready. Like when you're getting the party ready, that's the setup.
👶 For kids: Getting ready to do something! Putting your things out.
More Examples
The coach reviewed the team's offensive setup.
The setup involved connecting all the cables.
How It's Used
"The setup of the meeting took hours."
"The setup of the kitchen was vital for the cooking process."
To arrange, establish, or organize something.
/ˈsɛtʌp/
To arrange or organize something.
I need to setup the new printer.
💡 Simply: To get something ready. Like setting up your new toy or a presentation.
👶 For kids: To get ready to do something! Like putting your toys together.
More Examples
They setup a meeting for next week.
We setup a new company website.
How It's Used
"I need to setup my new computer."
"We setup a new office in London."
A situation in which someone is deliberately tricked or framed, usually as part of a criminal act.
/ˈsɛtʌp/
A situation or a plan, often involving deception or trickery.
He was a victim of a setup orchestrated by his rivals.
💡 Simply: A plan to trick someone. Imagine someone making you believe something false on purpose.
👶 For kids: A trick to make someone do something they don't want to do.
More Examples
The detective realized the crime scene was a carefully crafted setup.
They were suspicious of the setup and decided to investigate further.
How It's Used
"The whole thing was a setup, and I fell for it."
"The play featured a clever setup that surprised the audience."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
set someone up
To trick or deceive someone, often to cause them to be blamed for something.
"The con artist tried to set the innocent man up for the crime."
From 'set' + 'up'. 'Set' from Old English settan (to place, put) and 'up' from Old English upp (above, high). The combined word evolved to describe the arrangement of things or the process of preparing something.
The term 'setup' evolved from the simple phrasal verb 'set up' in the 19th century and became increasingly used as a noun to describe arrangements and deceptive plans in the 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of setting things up to get ready.
Word Origin
"to place; to put in place; to arrange upwards"