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settle
/ˈsɛtəl/
to resolve or come to a decision
After long negotiations, the two companies finally settled their dispute.
They reached a final agreement to end their disagreement.
general
to reach an agreement or come to a decision
The couple settled on a price for their new house.
They agreed on the price for their new house.
Often used in legal or business contexts to describe finalizing agreements.
general
to establish oneself in a place or position
They decided to settle in the countryside after retiring.
They chose to live in the countryside after retiring.
Can also mean to establish a community or colony in a new place.
general
to cause to sink or subside
The dust settled after the construction work was finished.
The dust stopped moving and went down after the work was done.
Used literally for particles or figuratively for emotions or situations.
Collocations
settle downto become calm or start a stable lifesettle forto accept something less than desiredsettle into become comfortable in a new place
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
The verb 'settle' is often used in legal and business contexts to describe reaching a final agreement.
Gold Rule
Phrasal Verbs
Remember that 'settle down' means to become calm or start a stable life, while 'settle for' means to accept something less than desired.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'setlen', from Old English 'setlian', meaning 'to cause to sit or rest'. Related to 'seat'.
Usage Notes
Can be used both literally (e.g., dust settling) and figuratively (e.g., settling a dispute). The phrasal verb 'settle down' often refers to starting a calm or stable life.
Word Breakdown
settle
to cause to sit or rest
rootEnglish Dictionary