setting
Where stories happen
Setting is the time, place, and circumstances in which something occurs.
A novel's setting might be Victorian London; a film's setting could be a dystopian future.
The word extends to physical surroundings: a romantic setting for dinner.
A setting is also a position on a dial or control: Turn the oven to its highest setting.
In jewelry, the setting is the metal framework holding a gemstone.
Specific place or area
- venuePlace of occurrence
- siteDesignated location
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
- placePosition or location
backdrop · surroundings · environment · milieu · context · whereabouts · position · spot
Dramatic unit or locale
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
world-building · era · atmosphere · mood · tone · premise · framework · stage
Raised performance platform
- sceneryVisible natural surroundings
- backdropRear stage scenery
- propsTheater accessories or praise
- mise-en-scèneVisual elements within frame
proscenium · wings · cyclorama · flats · blocking · lighting · rigging · scenic
Prevailing emotional condition
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- toneQuality of sound
- vibeIntuitive sense of mood
- auraPerceived emanation surrounding someone
feel · character · warmth · coziness · elegance · serenity · romance · lighting
Steadily increasing in degree
- prongPointed projecting part
- bezelGrooved rim for mounting
- stoneSolid earth fragment
- gemPolished precious stone
band · ring · clasp · pendant · filigree · inlay · channel · pavé
Defined boundaries or constraints
- setupHow something is arranged
- optionsAvailable courses of action
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
defaults · controls · adjustments · calibration · customization · menu · interface · toggles
Ordered configuration or agreement
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- voicingExpressing aloud
instrumentation · harmony · key · tempo · dynamics · transcription · adaptation
Adjusting pitch accuracy
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- fine-tuningSmall precise optimization adjustments
optimization · correction · modification · tweaking · balancing · reconfiguration · zeroing · resetting
Becoming less soft
- curingRestoring health or preserving
- firmingBecoming less soft
- gellingBecoming solid or unified
- congealingThickening into solid
thickening · coagulating · solidifying · stiffening · jelling · cooling · drying · crystallizing
locale
Specific place or area
place · backdrop · surroundings · environment · milieu · context · whereabouts · position · spot · grounds
scene
Dramatic unit or locale
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
backstory · world-building · era · atmosphere · mood · tone · premise · framework · stage · scenario
stage
Raised performance platform
mise-en-scène · proscenium · wings · cyclorama · flats · blocking · lighting · rigging · scenic · stagecraft
mood
Prevailing emotional condition
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- toneQuality of sound
- vibeIntuitive sense of mood
aura · feel · character · warmth · coziness · elegance · serenity · romance · lighting · candlelight
mounting
Steadily increasing in degree
gem · band · ring · clasp · pendant · filigree · inlay · channel · pavé · solitaire
parameters
Defined boundaries or constraints
- setupHow something is arranged
- optionsAvailable courses of action
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
specifications · defaults · controls · adjustments · calibration · customization · menu · interface · toggles · sliders
arrangement
Ordered configuration or agreement
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
voicing · instrumentation · harmony · key · tempo · dynamics · transcription · adaptation
tuning
Adjusting pitch accuracy
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
fine-tuning · optimization · correction · modification · tweaking · balancing · reconfiguration · zeroing · resetting · recalibrating
hardening
Becoming less soft
congealing · thickening · coagulating · solidifying · stiffening · jelling · cooling · drying · crystallizing
- literaturebooks, book, fiction, poetry, stories
- placescity, town, village, hamlet, building
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- writing-related termsparagraph, sentence, word, letter, punctuation
- language artsreading comprehension, grammar rules, vocabulary building, phonics, spelling bees
- literary elementsplot, character, theme, narrator, conflict
settingforeground
Nearest visual plane
plot · action · focus · focal point · characters
- setting upPreparing or assembling beforehand
- setting sailStarting a sea journey
- setting offStarting a journey
- setting in stoneMaking unchangeable and final
- setting the tableArranging utensils for dining
- setting outBeginning a journey