settle

¹

[ set-l ]

verb (used with object)

, set·tled, set·tling.

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

   Synonyms: determine, decide, set

2. to place in a desired state or in order:

   to settle one's affairs.

3. to pay, as a bill.
4. to close (an account) by payment.

   Synonyms: liquidate

5. to migrate to and organize (an area, territory, etc.); colonize:

   The pilgrims settled Plymouth.

6. to cause to take up residence:

   They settled immigrants in urban areas.

   Synonyms: relocate

7. to furnish (a place) with inhabitants or settlers:

   The French settled this colony with army veterans.

   Synonyms: colonize, people

8. to quiet, calm, or bring to rest (the nerves, stomach, etc.).
9. to stop from annoying or opposing:

   A sharp word will settle that youngster.

   Synonyms: pacify, still, compose, tranquilize

10. to conclude or resolve:

    to settle a dispute.

11. to make (someone) comfortable or snug.
12. to make stable; place in a permanent position or on a permanent basis.

    Synonyms: establish, stabilize

13. to cause (a liquid) to become clear by depositing dregs.
14. to cause (dregs, sediment, etc.) to sink or be deposited.
15. to cause to sink down gradually; make firm or compact.
16. to dispose of finally; close up:

    to settle an estate.

17. Law.
    1. to secure (property, title, etc.) on or to a person by formal or legal process.
    2. 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.

3. to pay a bill; make a financial arrangement (often followed by up ).
4. to take up residence in a new country or place:

   Many Frenchmen settled along the Mississippi River following La Salle's explorations.

   Synonyms: locate, relocate

5. to come to rest, as from flight:

   A bird settled on a bough.

6. to gather, collect, or become fixed in a particular place, direction, etc.:

   A cold settled in my head.

7. to become calm or composed (often followed by down ):

   I'll wait until the class settles before starting the lesson.

8. to come to rest (often followed by down ):

   We settled down for the night at an old country inn.

9. to sink down gradually; subside.

   Synonyms: abate, fall, decline

10. to become clear by the sinking of suspended particles, as a liquid.
11. to sink to the bottom, as sediment.
12. to become firm or compact, as the ground.
13. (of a female animal) to become pregnant; conceive.

verb phrase

1. to become established in:

   to settle into a new routine.

2. to be satisfied with:

   to settle for less.

3. 1. to become established in some routine, especially upon marrying, after a period of independence or indecision.
   2. to become calm or quiet.
   3. to apply oneself to serious work:

      There were so many distractions that we weren't able to settle down to studying.

settle

²

[ set-l ]

noun

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

settle

¹

/ 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

3. intr to come to rest or a halt

   a bird settled on the hedge

4. to take up or cause to take up residence

   the family settled in the country

5. to establish or become established in a way of life, job, residence, etc
6. tr to migrate to and form a community; colonize
7. to make or become quiet, calm, or stable
8. intr to be cast or spread; come down

   fog settled over a wide area

9. to make (a liquid) clear or (of a liquid) to become clear; clarify
10. to cause (sediment) to sink to the bottom, as in a liquid, or (of sediment) to sink thus
11. to subside or cause to subside and become firm or compact

    the dust settled

12. sometimes foll by up to pay off or account for (a bill, debt, etc)
13. tr to decide, conclude, or dispose of

    to settle an argument

14. intr; often foll by on or upon to agree or fix

    to settle upon a plan

15. 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

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

settle

²

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈsettleable, adjective

Other Words From

• settle·a·ble adjective
• settle·a·bili·ty noun
• settled·ness noun
• quasi-settled adjective
• un·settle·a·ble adjective
• well-settled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of settle¹

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 setl settle ²; compare Dutch zetelen

Origin of settle²

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 sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of settle¹

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

Origin of settle²

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

Example Sentences

The exact impact of these tariffs is hard to discern, considering that the full effects can take years to settle in and the inflationary impact of the pandemic makes it difficult to draw straight lines.

From Salon

A swift, relatively orderly, end to conflicts such as the war in Ukraine could settle the global economic outlook - albeit the impact of such geopolitical complexity is extremely difficult to call.

From BBC

And for five months out of the year, his family is happily settled in Halifax, Canada, where the show films.

From Los Angeles Times

Johnson died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a caesarean section eight years ago, spurring a public uproar and lawsuits by her husband against Cedars-Sinai and several physicians, which were ultimately settled.

From Los Angeles Times

“Once you taste it, you may never again settle for a dreary pumpkin tart.”

From Salon

Related Words

• achieve
• clear
• complete
• conclude
• decide
• determine
• end
• establish
• fix
• negotiate
• pay
• put an end to
• work out