set in
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To take root, become established.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
That was the point at which the rot set in.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “set in” mean?
To take root, become established.
Is “set in” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.