26984 words

settles

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:

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

Examples:

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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