settle

settle — verb

1. to bring a disagreement, argument, or legal case to a final end by making a join

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to bring a disagreement, argument, or legal case to a final end by making a joint decision that both sides accept.

Example

The two companies settled their dispute over the patent rights out of court.

settle a dispute/argument/case

Eri and Tanvi settled their argument about whose turn it was to clean the kitchen.

Common collocations
  • settle a dispute
  • settle an argument
  • settle a case
  • settle a lawsuit
  • settle a score
  • settle out of court
  • settle a debt
Synonyms
  • resolve

    more formal, used for problems and issues rather than personal arguments

  • reach an agreement

    emphasises the outcome rather than the process

  • negotiate

    focuses on the discussion process, not necessarily the final decision

Antonyms
  • disagree

    the opposite of reaching an agreement

  • dispute

    to continue arguing or disagreeing

Grammar Patterns

settle + noun phrase (dispute, argument, case)

settle + for + noun phrase (amount, terms)

settle + on/upon + noun phrase

Usage Note

Common in legal and workplace contexts. The object is typically a disagreement, dispute, case, argument, or lawsuit.

Common Mistakes

We settled about the price.
We settled on the price.
use 'settle on' when talking about a specific choice, not 'settle about'.
They settled the problem quickly.
They settled the dispute quickly.
'settle' fits disagreements better than general problems; use 'resolve' for problems.

2. to decide all the final details of a plan, arrangement, price, or schedule so th

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to decide all the final details of a plan, arrangement, price, or schedule so that nothing remains uncertain or unfinished.

Example

The couple still need to settle the date for their wedding reception.

settle the date/price/details

Anya settled the price of the used car with the seller after a short negotiation.

Common collocations
  • settle the date
  • settle the price
  • settle the details
  • settle the terms
  • settle the arrangements
Synonyms
  • finalize

    nearly identical in meaning but slightly more formal

  • confirm

    focuses on making something official rather than deciding the details

  • fix

    informal, common in British English

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

settle + noun phrase (date, price, terms, details)

Usage Note

The object is always a detail or plan that needs a final decision — the date of an event, the price of a purchase, or the terms of an agreement. Not used with personal opinions.

Common Mistakes

We settled what movie to watch.
We settled on what movie to watch.
use the phrasal verb 'settle on' for choosing from options.

3. to move your body into a relaxed, comfortable position, usually after finding a

3.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to move your body into a relaxed, comfortable position, usually after finding a suitable spot to sit or lie down.

Example

Sade settled into the armchair with a cup of hot tea and a novel.

settle into [furniture/place]

The old cat settled on the soft blanket by the fireplace and fell asleep.

Common collocations
  • settle into a chair
  • settle on a sofa
  • settle back
  • settle down for the night
Synonyms
  • get comfortable

    more informal, used for the same physical action

  • nestle

    suggests a warmer, more affectionate movement

  • curl up

    specific to a curled body position, usually on a sofa or bed

Antonyms
  • get up

    the opposite action of sitting or lying down

Grammar Patterns

settle + adverb phrase (into, on, back)

settle + noun phrase + adverb phrase

Usage Note

Often used with an adverb or prepositional phrase (into, on, back, down). The transitive form ('settle someone somewhere') is common when a person carefully places another person or thing into a comfortable spot.

4. to choose a particular place and begin living there for a long time, especially

4.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to choose a particular place and begin living there for a long time, especially after having moved around or travelled.

Example

After travelling for three years, Sofia settled in a small fishing town by the coast.

settle in [place] — establish a home

The Chen family settled in Canada after leaving their home country during the war.

Common collocations
  • settle in a country
  • settle in a city
  • settle permanently
  • settle abroad
  • settle after travelling
Synonyms
  • put down roots

    more informal and figurative; suggests deep community involvement

  • establish oneself

    more formal; implies building a career and life

  • move to

    weaker — does not carry the sense of permanence

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

settle + in/at + place

settle + region/country/city

Usage Note

The subject is usually a person, family, or group. The place is introduced with 'in' (a country, city, town, or region) or 'at' (a more specific location).

Common Mistakes

I settled at Taipei.
I settled in Taipei.
use 'in' for cities, regions, and countries.

5. to begin taking part in a match or competition with full focus and a calm, stead

5.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to begin taking part in a match or competition with full focus and a calm, steady mindset after the initial warm-up or nervousness.

Example

The tennis player took a deep breath and settled before serving the first ball.

After a few shaky moves, the chess champion settled and began playing with confidence.

settle + and + begin playing

Common collocations
  • settle into a match
  • settle into a game
  • settle after a shaky start
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • get rattled

    to become nervous and lose focus during play

Grammar Patterns

settle (into) + game/match

settle + to + verb

Usage Note

Primarily used in sports commentary and informal conversation about games. The sense focuses on the mental transition from preparation to active, focused play.

6. for a group of people to arrive in a new region and build homes, create farms or

6.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

for a group of people to arrive in a new region and build homes, create farms or towns, and begin living there as a community.

Example

European families first settled the east coast of North America in the early 1600s.

settle + region — to colonise an area

The river valley was settled by farmers who cleared the thick forest to plant crops.

passive: be settled by [group]

Common collocations
  • settle a region
  • settle a valley
  • settle a territory
  • settle the land
  • settled by colonists
Synonyms
  • colonize

    more specific and often more political; implies taking control of land

  • populate

    focuses on people moving into an area rather than building a community

Antonyms
  • abandon

    to leave a place empty or uninhabited

Grammar Patterns

settle + region/land

be settled by + group

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 focuses on an individual or family choosing a home; sense 6 focuses on a group establishing a settlement in a new area, often with historical or colonial overtones.

7. When small pieces of a solid substance slowly fall through air or liquid and sto

7.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

When small pieces of a solid substance slowly fall through air or liquid and stop moving, they settle. For example, dust falling onto furniture, snow landing on the ground, or sand grains sinking to the bottom of a jar of water.

Example

After the storm, a fine layer of dust settled on every surface in the living room.

settle + on [surface] for particles coming to rest

Linh let the muddy water sit overnight so the sand could settle at the bottom.

settle + at the bottom for sinking sediment

Common collocations
  • settle on a surface
  • settle at the bottom
  • settle to the floor
  • settle out of the liquid
Synonyms
  • sink

    stronger downward force; used for heavy objects in liquid, not fine particles in air

  • descend

    more formal and general; does not imply coming to rest

Antonyms
  • rise

    upward movement of particles or bubbles

Grammar Patterns

settle + prepositional phrase (on/to/at the bottom)

Usage Note

Subject is typically a fine substance (dust, snow, sand, sediment, grounds) rather than a person. Not used for large objects falling — that sense is covered by drop or sink.

Common Mistakes

The heavy box settled on the floor.
The heavy box dropped onto the floor.
'settle' is for gentle, slow downward movement of fine particles, not heavy objects falling.

8. To pay all the money you owe on a bill, loan, insurance claim, or other financia

8.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To pay all the money you owe on a bill, loan, insurance claim, or other financial account, especially to close it completely so no further payment is needed.

Example

Hannah settled her credit card bill before the due date to avoid paying interest.

settle + bill for paying off a statement

The insurance company settled the claim within two weeks of the car accident.

settle + claim for insurance payments

Common collocations
  • settle a bill
  • settle a debt
  • settle a claim
  • settle an account
  • settle a loan
Synonyms
  • pay off

    more informal; suggests completing a series of payments

  • clear

    used of debts or cheques; more British

Antonyms
  • owe

    being in debt rather than ending it

Grammar Patterns

settle + noun phrase (bill/debt/claim/account)

Usage Note

Object is always a financial obligation: bill, debt, claim, account, loan, invoice. Cannot be used for the person you owe money to (settle the bank, not settle the lender).

Common Mistakes

I settled the bank yesterday.
I settled my loan with the bank yesterday.
'settle' takes the debt or account as the object, not the institution.

9. To stop feeling nervous, upset, or excited and become quiet and relaxed, or to h

9.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

To stop feeling nervous, upset, or excited and become quiet and relaxed, or to help someone or something become quiet and relaxed.

Example

The crying baby finally settled when Nora held her close and hummed softly.

intransitive: person becomes calm

Owen took a few slow deep breaths to settle his nerves before the job interview.

transitive: settle + nerves

Common collocations
  • settle one's nerves
  • settle one's stomach
  • settle a child
  • settle the class
  • settle the animals
Synonyms
  • calm down

    more common in spoken English; always intransitive or reflexive

  • compose oneself

    more formal; implies deliberate effort

Antonyms
  • agitate

    to make someone nervous or upset

  • panic

    sudden strong fear opposite to calm

Grammar Patterns

settle (intransitive)

settle + noun phrase (nerves/stomach/child)

Usage Note

Frequently used with body-related nouns: nerves, stomach, heart. For people as objects it often describes calming children or animals; for adults, the reflexive settle yourself or intransitive settle down is more common.

Common Mistakes

The noise settled after everyone left.
The noise died down after everyone left.
'settle' is about people or animals calming, not sounds or noise levels.

10. To reach a steady level or fixed state after a period of change, movement, or un

10.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

To reach a steady level or fixed state after a period of change, movement, or uncertainty, and then stay at that level without further change. Used for prices, weather, conditions, or abstract forces.

Example

House prices in the area finally settled after two years of rapid increases.

settle for prices reaching a steady level

Karim decided to wait for the political situation to settle before investing in the region.

settle for a situation becoming stable

Common collocations
  • prices settle
  • the weather settles
  • the situation settles
  • settle into a routine
  • let the dust settle
Synonyms
  • stabilise

    more technical; common in economics and engineering

  • level off

    specifically about a quantity stopping its increase or decrease

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

settle + at/into + noun phrase (level/state/pattern)

Usage Note

Subject is a situation, condition, or measurable quantity (price, rate, weather, situation). Not used for personal emotional calming — that sense belongs to BECOME CALM (sense 9). The expression let the dust settle means waiting for a confusing or changing situation to become clear before acting.

Common Mistakes

She settled after hearing the good news.
She calmed down after hearing the good news.
'settle' for emotional calming takes an object (settle her nerves) or uses settle down; 'settle' alone without an object for a person means becoming stable in life.

11. To punish or harm someone who has previously cheated or offended you, as a delib

11.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

To punish or harm someone who has previously cheated or offended you, as a deliberate act of revenge.

Example

After losing the championship match last year, the team was eager to settle the score this season.

fixed expression: settle the score

Hamza used the meeting to settle an old score with a colleague who had stolen his idea.

fixed expression: settle an old score

Common collocations
  • settle a score
  • settle an old score
  • settle the score with someone
Synonyms
  • get even

    more informal; implies matching the harm rather than punishing

  • pay back

    can mean financial repayment or revenge depending on context

Antonyms
  • forgive

    to let go of the desire for revenge

Grammar Patterns

settle + a score / an old score

Usage Note

Almost always used in the fixed expressions settle a score or settle an old score. The score refers figuratively to a past injury or wrong. Cannot take a person as direct object (settle him is incorrect; settle a score with him is correct).

Common Mistakes

He settled his enemy.
He settled a score with his enemy.
'settle' in this sense requires 'a score' or 'an old score' as the object, not the person.
Phrasal verbs

settle down

phrasal verb

to start living a calmer, more stable life, usually by getting married, buying a home, and having a regular job; or to become quiet after being active or excited.

After years of travelling, Nadia decided to settle down and buy a small apartment in the city.

The children finally settled down and started doing their homework after dinner.

settle for

phrasal verb

to accept something that is not exactly what you wanted, because the thing you preferred is not available.

The hotel was fully booked, so Sofia had to settle for a smaller room on the ground floor.

settle into

phrasal verb

to become familiar and comfortable with a new situation, place, or routine after a period of adjustment.

It took Jin a few weeks to settle into his new job and get to know his colleagues.

settle on/upon

phrasal verb

to make a final choice or decision after considering several possibilities.

After looking at five different houses, the family settled on a three-bedroom home near the school.

settle up

phrasal verb

to pay all the money that you owe to someone, especially at the end of a meal, trip, or business arrangement.

After dinner, Paul and Anya each put money on the table to settle up with the waiter.

settle in

phrasal verb

To become comfortable and familiar with a new place, job, or situation.

It took Sara a few weeks to settle in at her new school.

The kitten quickly settled in and started exploring the house.

settle on

phrasal verb

To choose or decide something after considering different options.

After much discussion, they settled on a blue color for the walls.

We finally settled on a date for the family reunion.

settle to

phrasal verb

To begin to give full attention to a task or activity.

After lunch, the students settled to their homework quietly.

He couldn't settle to his book because of the noise outside.

Idioms

settle a score

idiom

to hurt or punish someone who has harmed or cheated you in the past, as a way of getting revenge.

After losing the championship match last year, the team was determined to settle a score with their rivals.

settle your nerves

idiom

to do something that helps you become calm and stop feeling anxious or worried.

Layla drank a cup of chamomile tea to settle her nerves before her job interview.

settle an argument

idiom

to bring a disagreement or dispute to an end by finding a solution that both people accept.

The teacher settled the argument between the two students by listening to both sides carefully.

settle out of court

idiom

to reach a legal agreement between two parties without taking the case to a judge or jury in court.

The company chose to settle out of court rather than face a long and expensive trial.

let the dust settle | wait for the dust to settle

idiom

To wait until a confusing or uncertain situation becomes clearer before taking action.

After the argument, Maya decided to let the dust settle before talking again.

The manager waited for the dust to settle after the merger announcement.

settle — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Settle and resolve both mean bringing a disagreement to an end, but resolve suggests a deeper, more permanent solution to a problem while settle often implies a practical compromise. Decide is broader — you can decide anything from a dinner choice to a life plan, whereas settle is limited to disputes, details, or options after consideration. Determine is more formal and fact-driven (determine the cause of the accident), while settle focuses on reaching a mutual or final agreement. Negotiate describes the process of discussion itself, not the outcome — you negotiate before you settle.

resolve ↗decide ↗determine ↗negotiate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • settle a matter
  • settle things
  • settle differences
  • settle affairs

Adverbs

  • finally settle
  • amicably settle
  • quickly settle
  • peacefully settle
  • eventually settle

Phrases

  • settle the question
  • settle the issue
  • settle once and for all

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Settle comes from the Old English word setlan meaning 'to seat' or 'to put in a place,' which itself came from setl meaning 'a seat.' The original idea was of placing someone or something in a fixed position. Related words exist in German (setzen) and Dutch (zetten), both meaning 'to set' or 'to place.' Over time the meaning expanded from physically placing something to deciding, resolving, and establishing a home.