settle

1
[ set-l ]
See synonyms for: settlesettledsettling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),set·tled, set·tling.
  1. to appoint, fix, or resolve definitely and conclusively; agree upon (as time, price, or conditions).

  2. to place in a desired state or in order: to settle one's affairs.

  1. to pay, as a bill.

  2. to close (an account) by payment.

  3. to migrate to and organize (an area, territory, etc.); colonize: The pilgrims settled Plymouth.

  4. to cause to take up residence: They settled immigrants in urban areas.

  5. to furnish (a place) with inhabitants or settlers: The French settled this colony with army veterans.

  6. to quiet, calm, or bring to rest (the nerves, stomach, etc.).

  7. to stop from annoying or opposing: A sharp word will settle that youngster.

  8. to conclude or resolve: to settle a dispute.

  9. to make (someone) comfortable or snug.

  10. to make stable; place in a permanent position or on a permanent basis.

  11. to cause (a liquid) to become clear by depositing dregs.

  12. to cause (dregs, sediment, etc.) to sink or be deposited.

  13. to cause to sink down gradually; make firm or compact.

  14. to dispose of finally; close up: to settle an estate.

  15. Law.

    • to secure (property, title, etc.) on or to a person by formal or legal process.

    • to terminate (legal proceedings) by mutual consent of the parties.

verb (used without object),set·tled, set·tling.
  1. to decide, arrange, or agree (often followed by on or upon): to settle on a plan of action.

  2. to arrange matters in dispute; come to an agreement: to settle with a person.

  1. to pay a bill; make a financial arrangement (often followed by up).

  2. to take up residence in a new country or place: Many Frenchmen settled along the Mississippi River following La Salle's explorations.

  3. to come to rest, as from flight: A bird settled on a bough.

  4. to gather, collect, or become fixed in a particular place, direction, etc.: A cold settled in my head.

  5. to become calm or composed (often followed by down): I'll wait until the class settles before starting the lesson.

  6. to come to rest (often followed by down): We settled down for the night at an old country inn.

  7. to sink down gradually; subside.

  8. to become clear by the sinking of suspended particles, as a liquid.

  9. to sink to the bottom, as sediment.

  10. to become firm or compact, as the ground.

  11. (of a female animal) to become pregnant; conceive.

Verb Phrases
  1. settle down,

    • to become established in some routine, especially upon marrying, after a period of independence or indecision.

    • to become calm or quiet.

    • to apply oneself to serious work: There were so many distractions that we weren't able to settle down to studying.

  2. settle for, to be satisfied with: to settle for less.

  1. settle into, to become established in: to settle into a new routine.

Origin of settle

1
First recorded before 1000; Middle English setlen, setel(le) “to seat, place in a seat, be seated; sink down; descend,” Old English setlan (attested once) “to settle, seat, take a position of rest,” derivative of setlsettle2; compare Dutch zetelen

Other words for settle

Other words from settle

  • set·tle·a·ble, adjective
  • set·tle·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • set·tled·ness, noun
  • quasi-settled, adjective
  • un·set·tle·a·ble, adjective
  • well-settled, adjective

Words Nearby settle

Other definitions for settle (2 of 2)

settle2
[ set-l ]

noun
  1. a long seat or bench, usually wooden, with arms and a high back.

Origin of settle

2
First recorded before 900; Middle English setle, setel(e), settel “seat, chair, bench, place for sitting,” Old English setl, sedl, sethl; cognate with German Sessel “armchair,” Gothic sitls “seat,” Latin sella (from unrecorded sedla “saddle”; akin to sit1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use settle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for settle (1 of 2)

settle1

/ (ˈsɛtəl) /


verb
  1. (tr) to put in order; arrange in a desired state or condition: he settled his affairs before he died

  2. to arrange or be arranged in a fixed or comfortable position: he settled himself by the fire

  1. (intr) to come to rest or a halt: a bird settled on the hedge

  2. to take up or cause to take up residence: the family settled in the country

  3. to establish or become established in a way of life, job, residence, etc

  4. (tr) to migrate to and form a community; colonize

  5. to make or become quiet, calm, or stable

  6. (intr) to be cast or spread; come down: fog settled over a wide area

  7. to make (a liquid) clear or (of a liquid) to become clear; clarify

  8. to cause (sediment) to sink to the bottom, as in a liquid, or (of sediment) to sink thus

  9. to subside or cause to subside and become firm or compact: the dust settled

  10. (sometimes foll by up) to pay off or account for (a bill, debt, etc)

  11. (tr) to decide, conclude, or dispose of: to settle an argument

  12. (intr; often foll by on or upon) to agree or fix: to settle upon a plan

  13. (tr; usually foll by on or upon) to secure (title, property, etc) to a person, as by making a deed of settlement, will, etc: he settled his property on his wife

  14. to determine (a legal dispute, etc) by agreement of the parties without resort to court action (esp in the phrase settle out of court)

Origin of settle

1
Old English setlan; related to Dutch zetelen; see settle ²

Derived forms of settle

  • settleable, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for settle (2 of 2)

settle2

/ (ˈsɛtəl) /


noun
  1. a seat, for two or more people, usually made of wood with a high back and arms, and sometimes having a storage space in the boxlike seat

Origin of settle

2
Old English setl; related to Old Saxon, Old High German sezzal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012