verb
Uncommon
reset
ree-SEHT
Reset (verb) means to return something to its original or starting state. Example: “Reset the router if the connection drops.”
verb
1
To return something to its original or starting state.
"Reset the router if the connection drops."
"She reset her password after forgetting it."
"He reset the clock after the power cut ended."
noun
1
The act of returning something to its starting state, or a button that does this.
"Hold the reset button for ten seconds."
"A quick reset of the phone cleared the strange error."
"After the reset, all the settings went back to how they were in the shop."
How to use reset
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo start something over from scratch, or the button/action that makes that happen.
Common pairings
reset button
factory reset
reset a password
hit reset
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Word forms
- Plural
- resets
- Third person singular
- resets
- Past tense
- resetted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the router if the connection drops.
Etymology
From "re-" plus "set".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for reset
See all rhymes for reset →Frequently asked questions
What does “reset” mean?
The word “reset” means to return something to its original or starting state. In plain terms, to start something over from scratch, or the button/action that makes that happen.
How do you pronounce “reset”?
“Reset” is pronounced ree-SEHT (/ɹiːˈsɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “reset” in a sentence?
Here is “reset” used in a sentence: “Reset the router if the connection drops.”
What part of speech is “reset”?
Depending on how it is used, “reset” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “reset” a common word?
“Reset” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reset” have?
“Reset” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to return something to its original or starting state.
What is the difference between "reset" and "restart"?
"Reset" means to return something to its original or starting state, often erasing changes or progress made since then. "Restart" means to begin something again, such as a device or process, but does not necessarily imply returning to an original state.
What does it mean to press a "reset" button?
Pressing a reset button returns a device or system to its original or starting state, often clearing settings, data, or errors accumulated since it was last set up. This is the noun sense of "reset" referring to the button itself.
Can "reset" be used figuratively, such as for a mindset?
Yes, "reset" is commonly used figuratively to describe returning to an original or starting state in a non-physical sense, such as taking time to reset one's mindset or a relationship. This mirrors its literal meaning of returning something to how it began.
