setup

Everyday

1. A setup is the way things are arranged or organised: a gaming setup, the classroom setup. tree →
2. Setup is the process of getting something ready to use, like a new computer or phone. tree →
3. (informal) A setup is a trick planned to make someone look guilty or foolish: «It was a setup!» tree →
4. In a story or joke, the setup is the first part that prepares for what comes next. tree →

In the lessons

Everyday life: «setup» on a new tablet, a camping setup, a desk setup. In stories and detective films, a character who has been framed shouts «It's a setup!». In writing lessons, the setup is the beginning that introduces characters and setting before the problem. Computers: «setup file», «setup wizard».

Examples

• Dad has a cool gaming setup in the spare room. tree →
• The setup of the new laptop took ages. tree →
• We need to set up the tables before the party. tree →
• The detective realised the whole thing was a setup. tree →
• The joke's setup was long but the punchline was great. tree →
• I like the new classroom setup with groups of tables. tree →
• Follow the setup steps on the screen. tree →

Note

Noun is one word (setup) or hyphenated (set-up, common in the UK); the verb is always two words: «set up the tent», not «setup the tent». Past of the verb «set up» is also «set up».