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settle

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verb

/ˈset(ə)l/

present tense
I/you/we/they	settle
he/she/it	settles
present participle	settling
past tense	settled
past participle	settled

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

1
[intransitive/transitive] to end an argument by making an agreement
We are going to settle our differences, once and for all.
Neither side shows any intention of settling at this stage.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
1. a.
  to end a legal disagreement by the decision of a court or by making an agreement
  settle something out of court (=without asking a court to decide):
  The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
Collocations: settle
Collocations
settle1
▪ argument, conflict, differences, dispute, quarrel
2
[transitive] to pay all the money that you owe to a particular person or company
He has 30 days to settle his bill.
The insurance company is refusing to settle the claim.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
3
[transitive] [usually passive] to decide something definitely
it is settled that:
It was settled that they would leave before dark.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
4
[intransitive] if something such as dust, sand, or snow settles, it falls downwards through the air or water until it reaches the ground or the bottom of something
It took a while for the silt and mud to settle.
settle on:
Flakes of snow settled on the windscreen.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
5
[intransitive] to go and live permanently in a particular place
settle in:
Her relatives had come to America and settled in Boston.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
1. a.
  [transitive] [usually passive] to go to live in a place that does not have many people, and start to make it into a community
  When was this city first settled?
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
6
[intransitive] if the ground or a building settles, it gradually sinks down
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
7
[intransitive/transitive] to make yourself or someone else comfortable and relaxed in a particular place or position
settle someone into/in/on something:
She settled the little boy on the next stool to her.
settle back:
I settled back into a comfortable chair and waited.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
8
[intransitive/transitive] to become calm after being upset, nervous, or excited, or to make someone do this
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
1. a.
  if your nerves or stomach settle or are settled, they become calm again after you have felt upset, nervous, or excited
  Let your stomach settle before having anything to eat.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
9
[transitive] to deal with all the details of something so that no more needs to be done to it
You need a lawyer to help you settle your affairs.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
10
[transitive] to put something carefully in a place
She settled her pack on her back, and set off.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
11
[intransitive] mainly literary to begin to have an effect on someone or something
settle over/on/in:
Fear settled over her heart.
a feeling of nausea settling in his stomach
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
12
[intransitive] to stop flying and land in a particular place
settle on:
A large fly settled on the bread.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
13
[intransitive] mainly literary if your eyes settle on someone or something, you begin to look at them
settle on:
Her eyes settled on the man in the corner.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle

phrases

settle someone's estate
to deal with what happens to someone's property and money after they die
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
settle an (old) score (with someone)
to do something bad to someone because they did something bad to you
enemies who have an old score to settle
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle
that settles it
spoken
used for saying that you have made a decision because you have enough information, or because you do not want an annoying or unpleasant situation to continue
That settles it! I'm leaving.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of settle

phrasal verbs

This is the British English definition of settle. View American English definition of settle.

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View the pronunciation for settle.

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