26984 words

settle

21 definitions • 52 examples
1
to reach a decision or an agreement about something, or to end a disagreement:

Examples:

Good, that's all settled - you send out the invitations for the party, and I'll organize the food.
[ + question word ] They haven't yet settled when the wedding is going to be.
"The tickets are €40 each." "Well, that settles that - I can't afford that much."
I'd like to get this matter settled once and for all (= reach a final decision on it).
2
to arrange something:

Examples:

The details of the contract have not yet been settled.
Our lawyer advised us that it would be better to settle out of court (= reach an agreement in a legal case without it being decided in a court of law).
It took months to settle (= bring to an end) the dispute/strike.
My father and I have agreed finally to settle our differences (= stop arguing).
3

Examples:

After dinner we settled in front of the television for the evening.
The dentist told her patient to settle back in the chair.
He settled himself down with a newspaper, and waited for the flight to arrive.
4
to begin to play a game in a relaxed and comfortable way:

Examples:

England's aggressive play never allowed the New Zealanders to settle.
After a frantic start, the team settled into a good rhythm.
5
to go and live somewhere, especially permanently:

Examples:

After they got married, they settled in Brooklyn.
6
to arrive, especially from another country, in a new place and start to live there and use the land:

Examples:

America was first settled by people who came across from Asia over 25,000 years ago.
7
to move to a lower level and stay there; to drop:

Examples:

The house had been empty for years, and dust had settled on all the surfaces.
Do you think the snow will settle (= remain on the ground and other surfaces without melting)?
The contents of this package may settle (= fall towards the bottom of the container and so seem to be less).
8
to pay, especially money that you owe:

Examples:

Please settle your account/bill without further delay.
It took the insurance company months to settle my claim.
formal Payment of your account is now overdue, and we must ask you to settle (= pay the money you owe) immediately.
9
to become quiet and calm, or to make something or someone do this:

Examples:

The weather is expected to settle towards the end of the week.
I'll call you back as soon as I've settled the kids for the night.
Before a performance, she takes three deep breaths to settle her nerves.
We're very busy this week, but things should settle (down) a bit after the weekend.
UK Joe's parents are very worried about him because he doesn't seem to be able to settle to (= to give his whole attention to) anything.
10
to reach and remain at a certain level or in a certain state:

Examples:

The pound rose slightly against the dollar today, then settled at $1.53.
A peaceful expression settled on her face.
After the recent riots, an uneasy calm has settled on the city.
11
to get or to become comfortable:

Examples:

[ T ] Campbell settled herself in front of a blazing fire.
[ I ] He settled back in his chair and took out a book.
12
to reach a decision or an agreement about something, or to end a disagreement:

Examples:

[ T ] Rogers paid $2 million to settle the lawsuit.
[ T ] Americans turn to a dictionary to settle questions of language.
[ I ] Negotiators are hopeful the two sides will settle.
13
If you settle out of court, you reach an agreement in a legal case without holding a trial in court:

Examples:

The defendant agreed to settle out of court.
14
to pay money owed:

Examples:

He sold his photographs to settle some old debts.
15
to live in a place or to go somewhere to live, esp. permanently:

Examples:

[ I ] After they got married, they settled in Virginia.
[ T ] Immigrants settled this island two hundred years ago.
[ I ] fig. An early-evening glow settles on the city (= the city has begun to glow).
16
to move to a lower level and stay there; drop:

Examples:

Dust can settle into the wet paint and spoil the finish.
Unused farm machinery settled in high weeds behind the house.
17
to pay money that you owe:

Examples:

settle a bill/debt
Only half of their clients settled their accounts on time.
18
to end an argument by reaching an agreement to do something:

Examples:

The company paid $5 million to former employees to settle claims of unfair dismissal.
Union and management were urged to settle their differences.
The company decided it was cheaper to settle rather than fight the case in court.
19
to make a final decision about something:

Examples:

We need a final meeting to settle the matter once and for all.
OK, so that's settled then.
20
if prices, values, etc. settle, they stop moving up or down:

Examples:

They expect house price inflation to settle around 10%.
settle at sth After a rocky ride, shares in the entertainment company settled at $13.
21
to end an argument without having to go to a court of law, usually by agreeing to the payment of a particular amount of money:

Examples:

In view of the legal costs, they decided to settle out of court.

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