settle

[ set-l ]

/ ˈsɛt l /

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See synonyms for: settle / settled / settling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), set·tled, set·tling.

to appoint, fix, or resolve definitely and conclusively; agree upon (as time, price, or conditions).

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

to pay, as a bill.

to close (an account) by payment.

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

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

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

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

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

to conclude or resolve: to settle a dispute.

to make (someone) comfortable or snug.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

to decide, arrange, or agree (often followed by on or upon): to settle on a plan of action.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

to sink down gradually; subside.

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

to sink to the bottom, as sediment.

to become firm or compact, as the ground.

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

Verb Phrases

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.

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

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

OTHER WORDS FOR settle

1 set, decide, determine.

4 liquidate.

6 relocate.

7 people, colonize.

9 tranquilize, compose, still, pacify.

12 stabilize, establish.

21 locate, relocate.

26 decline, fall, abate.

See synonyms for settle on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of settle

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 FROM settle

set·tle·a·ble, adjectiveset·tle·a·bil·i·ty, nounset·tled·ness, nounquasi-settled, adjective

un·set·tle·a·ble, adjectivewell-settled, adjective

Words nearby settle

set the world on fire, setting, setting lotion, setting rule, setting-up exercise, settle, settle a score, settled, settle down, settle for, settle in

Other definitions for settle (2 of 2)

settle²

[ set-l ]

/ ˈsɛt l /

noun

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

Origin of settle

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. 2023

How to use settle in a sentence

Bridgewater, which fought the panel’s decision that it must pay the Tekmerion founders’ legal fees, has since settled the case.
The losses continue to pile up for hedge fund king Ray Dalio|Bernhard Warner|September 15, 2020|Fortune
Researchers have generally settled for repeatedly measuring flow speed at several points in the turbulence.
An Unexpected Twist Lights Up the Secrets of Turbulence|David H. Freedman|September 3, 2020|Quanta Magazine
They don’t jump back in and trade until mid-November once the dust has settled.
The markets rally is this close to becoming the ‘greatest of all time’|Bernhard Warner|September 2, 2020|Fortune
As businesses have settled into this new normal, they’ve also been looking inward.
Deep Dive: How companies and their employees are facing the future of work|Digiday|September 1, 2020|Digiday

As the realization settles in that the pandemic will stretch into multiple quarters rather than multiple months, CEOs must again grapple with how to advise their employees on returning to the office.
I’m a physician and a CEO. Why I won’t bring my employees back to the office before Labor Day 2021|matthewheimer|August 26, 2020|Fortune
I settle for a sweater and jacket and throw a tie in my briefcase just in case it turns out to be the prom.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I started to squirm in my chair and Jimbo put his hand back on my shoulder to settle me down.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pressure is on the Supreme Court to settle this once and for all.
Gay Marriage Chaos Begins|Jay Michaelson|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now they either settle, which they should have done 20 years ago, or they go in front of the judge.
In Tussle Over Will, Mistress’s Family Takes a Bite Out of NYU|Anthony Haden-Guest|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They form a daily currency by which we settle relationships, but they also create doubt.
Wonder Woman’s Creation Story Is Wilder Than You Could Ever Imagine|Tom Arnold-Forster|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Having accomplished his task within three months Datto Mandi withdrew with all his men, except two who wished to settle at Pardo.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
As night began to settle down over the land, the Queen Elizabeth seemed to feel the time had come to give full vent to her wrath.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
And we will also settle and assure the particular rights and interests of every planter and adventurer.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
In fact, one evening, his wife and children deserted him entirely and went to settle elsewhere, thinking it was all over with him.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Many people when presented with the argument above, would settle it at once with the word "socialism."
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock

British Dictionary definitions for settle (1 of 2)

settle¹

/ (ˈsɛtəl) /

verb

(tr) to put in order; arrange in a desired state or conditionhe settled his affairs before he died

to arrange or be arranged in a fixed or comfortable positionhe settled himself by the fire

(intr) to come to rest or a halta bird settled on the hedge

to take up or cause to take up residencethe family settled in the country

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

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

to make or become quiet, calm, or stable

(intr) to be cast or spread; come downfog settled over a wide area

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

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

to subside or cause to subside and become firm or compactthe dust settled

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

(tr) to decide, conclude, or dispose ofto settle an argument

(intr; often foll by on or upon) to agree or fixto settle upon a plan

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

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

Derived forms of settle

settleable, adjective

Word Origin for settle

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

British Dictionary definitions for settle (2 of 2)

settle²

/ (ˈsɛtəl) /

noun

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

Word Origin for settle

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

settle

OTHER WORDS FOR settle

Origin of settle

OTHER WORDS FROM settle

Words nearby settle

Other definitions for settle (2 of 2)

Origin of settle

Words related to settle

How to use settle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for settle (1 of 2)

Derived forms of settle

Word Origin for settle

British Dictionary definitions for settle (2 of 2)

Word Origin for settle