settle

[ set-l ]

/ ˈsɛt l /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR settle 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 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.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?

Question 1 of 10

earnest

full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.

a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.

urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of settle

before 1000; Middle English set(t)len, Old English setlan (attested once) to place, derivative of setl settle²; compare Dutch zetelen

SYNONYMS FOR settle

1 set, establish.

4 liquidate.

6 relocate.

7 people, colonize.

9 tranquilize, compose, still, pacify.

11 stabilize, establish, confirm.

20 locate, relocate.

25 decline, fall, abate.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR settle ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM settle

set·tle·a·ble, adjectiveset·tle·a·bil·i·ty, nounset·tled·ness, nounqua·si-set·tled, adjective

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

Words nearby settle

setter, setting, setting lotion, setting rule, setting-up exercise, settle, settle a score, settle down, settle for, settle in, settle on

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for settle on (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 on (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

Idioms and Phrases with settle on

settle on

Also, settle upon.

Decide something, as in They finally settled on Bermuda for their vacation. [Second half of 1700s]

Give property or a title to someone, as in She settled an annuity on her husband. [Mid-1600s]

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settle

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

verb (used without object), set·tled, set·tling.

Verb Phrases

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

Origin of settle

SYNONYMS FOR settle

OTHER WORDS FROM settle

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British Dictionary definitions for settle on (1 of 2)

verb

Derived forms of settle

Word Origin for settle

British Dictionary definitions for settle on (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for settle

Idioms and Phrases with settle on

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

settle

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

verb (used without object), set·tled, set·tling.

Verb Phrases

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

Origin of settle

SYNONYMS FOR settle

OTHER WORDS FROM settle

Words nearby settle

Words related to settle on

British Dictionary definitions for settle on (1 of 2)

verb

Derived forms of settle

Word Origin for settle

British Dictionary definitions for settle on (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for settle

Idioms and Phrases with settle on