1 C1 formal
To appoint someone to a position of authority or supervision over a group or area.
"The governor was set over the entire eastern province by royal decree."
separable
set over
C1 formal separable transitive
To place someone in a position of authority over others.
In plain English
To make someone the boss or leader of a group of people.
What does "set over" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To position someone physically above — extended to mean authority over others.
Actually means
To make someone the boss or leader of a group of people.
Usage tip
Mainly found in literary, biblical, or historical texts. Rarely used in modern everyday English.
Words that pair with "set over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
affairs people region household administration
How to conjugate "set over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
set over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sets over
he/she/it
Past simple
set over
yesterday
Past participle
set over
have + pp
-ing form
setting over
continuous
Hear "set over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "set over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "set over"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
appoint over assign command to place in charge put in authority
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