reset
reset — verb
1. to restart an electronic device by turning the power off and back on, usually to
to restart an electronic device by turning the power off and back on, usually to fix a problem or restore normal function
Luca reset his phone after the screen froze during a call.
reset + device name (phone)
The technician reset the office router to fix the internet connection.
reset + device + purpose clause
If the tablet won't turn on, try resetting it by holding the power button.
Noa reset the smart speaker because it stopped responding to voice commands.
- reset the router
- reset the phone
- reset the system
- reset the device
- restart
more general; does not always imply returning to factory settings
- reboot
specifically used for computers; more technical
- reinitialize
formal and technical; used for clearing and resetting system data
Grammar Patterns
reset + [device]
reset + [device] + to fix/restore
Usage Note
Commonly used with the device itself as the direct object. Do not use for physically unplugging a device — reset specifically means using the device's own restart function, such as a button or software command.
Common Mistakes
2. to move a dial, knob, timer, or digital control to a different position, number,
to move a dial, knob, timer, or digital control to a different position, number, or time
Emre reset the oven timer to thirty minutes after opening the door.
reset + [timer] + to + [value]
Bao reset the thermostat to twenty-two degrees before going to bed.
reset + [thermostat] + to + [temperature]
The pilot reset the altimeter before beginning the descent into the airport.
Chiara reset the alarm clock to six instead of seven for the early meeting.
- reset the timer
- reset the clock
- reset the dial
- reset the thermostat
- readjust
implies fine-tuning rather than setting from scratch
- recalibrate
more technical; involves aligning to a standard
Grammar Patterns
reset + [control] + to + [value/number]
reset + [control]
Usage Note
This sense is about changing what a control shows, not about turning a device off and on. The object is typically a gauge, timer, dial, or digital readout. When you state the new setting, use to: reset the timer to ten minutes.
Common Mistakes
3. to give something new values or arrangements, such as a password, settings, date
to give something new values or arrangements, such as a password, settings, date, or list of saved items
Kofi reset his email password after forgetting it for the third time.
reset + password
Yuna reset the app's default settings because the font size was too small.
reset + settings
The system administrator reset the access permissions for all new employees.
Tamar reset the game progress on her tablet so her younger brother could start from level one.
- reset the password
- reset the settings
- reset the configuration
- reset the preferences
- change
more general; does not imply returning to a default
- restore
implies returning to a previous or factory state
- reconfigure
more formal; used for complex system settings
Grammar Patterns
reset + [details/settings/password]
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (RESTART DEVICE): here you are changing the stored information or configuration, not restarting the hardware. The object is usually an abstract setting, not a physical device.
Common Mistakes
4. describes a device that shuts itself down and then powers back up, going back to
describes a device that shuts itself down and then powers back up, going back to its factory state without anyone touching it
The coffee machine resets automatically every morning at six o'clock.
intransitive: [machine] + resets
After the power cut, the security system reset to its factory settings overnight.
The printer resets each time the paper tray is opened and closed.
The dashboard display resets to zero every time the engine is turned off.
- the system resets
- the machine resets
- resets automatically
- resets to default
Grammar Patterns
[machine/device] + resets
[machine/device] + resets + to + [state]
Usage Note
This sense is intransitive — the machine does the action by itself, not by a person's action. Compare sense 1 (RESTART DEVICE), where a person intentionally restarts the device. If you can add by itself after the verb, it is this sense.
5. to move a target number, deadline, scheduled time, or measured amount to a diffe
to move a target number, deadline, scheduled time, or measured amount to a different starting point
The project manager reset the deadline to Friday after the team requested more time.
reset + deadline + to + [new date]
Diego reset the car's trip counter before driving from Madrid to Barcelona.
reset + counter/odometer
The teacher reset the quiz timer to ten minutes after the fire alarm interrupted the class.
Heloísa reset the monthly budget to a lower amount after her rent increased.
- reset the deadline
- reset the counter
- reset the budget
- reset the timer
- recalibrate
more technical; suggests a precise adjustment
- renew
implies starting over rather than setting a different value
Grammar Patterns
reset + [target/deadline] + to + [new value]
Usage Note
The object is something measurable: a budget, a counter, a deadline, a recorded figure. The new value is introduced with to. This sense overlaps with sense 2 (ADJUST CONTROLS) when the object is a physical gauge; use sense 2 when you are moving a physical dial, and sense 5 when you are resetting an abstract figure or schedule.
6. describes someone who pauses their usual activities or makes a life change in or
describes someone who pauses their usual activities or makes a life change in order to feel refreshed and ready to face challenges again
After working twelve days in a row, Nellie took the weekend off to reset.
intransitive: person resets
Christopher went on a short hiking trip to reset himself after the stressful project.
reflexive: reset + yourself
Pim decided to reset by waking up early and going for a run every morning.
After the divorce, Sora moved to a new city to reset and build a different life.
- need to reset
- time to reset
- reset after work
- reset mentally
- recharge
focuses on regaining energy rather than changing direction
- start over
implies a more complete change rather than a short break
- refresh
similar in meaning but slightly less committed; often used for short breaks
Grammar Patterns
[person] + resets
[person] + resets + by + [activity]
reset + yourself/pronoun
Usage Note
This is an informal, figurative use. Do not confuse with sense 1 (RESTART DEVICE) — the subject is a person, not electronics. The verb is often used reflexively (reset yourself) or alone (I need to reset). Common collocations: need to reset, time to reset, reset after [event].
Common Mistakes
7. to place an object back where it was originally located, especially carefully or
to place an object back where it was originally located, especially carefully or precisely
The librarian reset the atlas on its shelf after the student finished using it.
reset + object + on + location
Ravindra carefully reset the fallen ceramic vase onto the wooden stand.
After checking each tool, the mechanic reset the wrench set in the metal toolbox.
The museum assistant reset the ancient pottery fragment on its display stand.
- reset a book on the shelf
- reset a vase in its place
- remove
to take away from a position
Grammar Patterns
reset + [object] + in/on/into + [location]
Usage Note
This sense is somewhat dated or formal in modern English. It is mostly used for putting objects back in position carefully, not for electronics. The more common modern word for this meaning is replace or put back.
8. to move a broken bone back into its natural position so that it can heal correct
to move a broken bone back into its natural position so that it can heal correctly, as done by a doctor or nurse
The doctor reset the fractured forearm before putting the arm in a cast.
medical: reset + bone/fracture
Nkechi winced as the nurse reset her dislocated shoulder in the emergency room.
The surgeon reset the patient's broken ankle during a two-hour operation.
The emergency doctor reset the child's elbow after the playground accident.
- reset a fracture
- reset a bone
- reset a dislocated joint
Grammar Patterns
reset + [bone/fracture]
Usage Note
This is a medical term used by healthcare professionals. Only a doctor, nurse, or surgeon performs this action — the patient does not reset their own bone. The noun form in this sense is reduction, not reset.
Common Mistakes
reset — noun
1. the process of restarting an electronic device by turning the power off and back
the process of restarting an electronic device by turning the power off and back on, often to fix a problem
A simple reset of the router fixed the slow internet connection.
a reset + of + device
If the screen stays black, try doing a hard reset by holding the power button.
The technician recommended a full system reset before installing the new software.
Théo performed a reset on his smartwatch when it stopped tracking his steps.
- do a reset
- perform a reset
- hard reset
- factory reset
- system reset
Grammar Patterns
do/perform + a reset
a reset + of + [device]
Usage Note
Often used with do, perform, or carry out. A hard reset clears all data and returns the device to factory condition, while a soft reset simply restarts it without data loss.
2. the action of changing the stored information or configuration of something, suc
the action of changing the stored information or configuration of something, such as a password, list of settings, or game progress
A password reset is required every ninety days for security reasons.
password reset
Femi requested a full reset of the database after the data became corrupted.
The app asked for a settings reset after the latest software update.
A factory reset of the laptop erased all personal files and programs.
- password reset
- factory reset
- settings reset
- data reset
- reset request
- restoration
more formal; implies returning to a previous state
- reconfiguration
technical term for changing system settings
Grammar Patterns
a reset + of + [settings/password/details]
Usage Note
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (RESTART ACTION): this sense is about changing what is stored or configured, not about restarting hardware. A factory reset does both — it restores original settings (this sense) and may restart the device (sense 1).
3. an adjustment that moves a measured amount, scheduled time, or target figure to
an adjustment that moves a measured amount, scheduled time, or target figure to a different starting point
The mechanic did a reset of the car's trip meter before the road test.
a reset of + counter
The project required a complete schedule reset after the funding delay.
A reset of the quarterly targets gave the sales team a fresh goal to work toward.
The accountant recommended a reset of the annual budget after the unexpected expenses.
- schedule reset
- target reset
- counter reset
- budget reset
- adjustment
more general; does not imply starting from a baseline
- recalibration
suggests precise technical alignment
Grammar Patterns
a reset + of + [counter/deadline/amount]
Usage Note
This sense overlaps with noun sense 2 (CHANGE DETAILS) when the details being changed are numeric (budget, counter). Use this sense specifically when the focus is on moving a numerical or time measurement to a different value, not on changing the type of information stored.
4. a physical button or on-screen control that restarts a computer or machine, espe
a physical button or on-screen control that restarts a computer or machine, especially when a program stops working correctly
Press the reset button on the back of the monitor if the screen goes black.
press the reset button
There is a small red reset switch inside the battery compartment of the device.
The computer case has a reset button next to the power button on the front panel.
You can find the reset switch on the bottom of the wireless speaker.
- reset button
- reset switch
- press reset
- hold the reset button
- restart button
more general; less technical
- reboot switch
informal; specifically for computers
Grammar Patterns
press/hit + the reset + button/switch
Usage Note
The physical reset button is usually recessed or small so that it cannot be pressed by accident. On modern devices, the reset function is often a software option rather than a physical button.
5. the opportunity or choice to start life over following some hardship, a break, o
the opportunity or choice to start life over following some hardship, a break, or a personal transformation
After a year of burnout, Esme saw the new job as a much-needed reset.
a reset = fresh start in life
The family vacation felt like a complete reset for everyone after a difficult winter.
For Nicholas, moving to a smaller town was a reset that helped him focus on writing.
The summer internship gave Luca the professional reset he needed to change careers.
- need a reset
- mental reset
- complete reset
- personal reset
- fresh start
more literal and widely understood for life changes
- clean slate
idiomatic; suggests wiping the past away
- relapse
returning to a negative state or habit
Grammar Patterns
need/want + a reset
a reset + from + [situation]
Usage Note
This is a figurative, informal use. It often follows need, want, or feel like. The reset is not a literal action but a personal or emotional fresh start. Avoid using this sense in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- resettableadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Reset, restart, reboot, and reinitialize all involve starting a device again, but they differ in scope and technicality. Reset is the broadest term — it can mean anything from a quick power cycle to wiping all settings back to factory defaults. Restart is more general and less technical; you can restart a computer, a game, or even a conversation without implying any change to settings. Reboot is a near-synonym of restart, but it is used almost exclusively for computers and operating systems. Reinitialize is the most technical and formal; it means to clear all current settings and load a fresh initial configuration, often used in programming and system administration. For everyday use: restart your phone (general), reboot your computer (tech-savvy), reset the router (fix a problem), reinitialize the drive (erase and reformat).
Common collocations
Adverbs
Phrases
- factory reset
- hard reset
- soft reset
- system reset
- password reset
Etymology
Reset comes from the prefix re- meaning 'again' plus the verb set, meaning 'to put in place'. It was first recorded in English in the early 1500s with the literal meaning 'to set or place again'. The modern technical meaning of restarting an electronic device emerged in the mid-1900s alongside the rise of computers.