📒 to put an end to an argument or a disagreement
- settle something to settle a dispute/a matter/an issue
- to settle a case/lawsuit/claim
- to settle an argument/a disagreement
📒 to decide or arrange something finally
- settle something It's all settled—we're leaving on the nine o'clock plane.
- Good, that's settled, then.
- Bob will be there? That settles it. I'm not coming.
📒 to make a place your permanent home
- She settled in Vienna after her father's death.
- She is an American who settled here a couple of years ago.
- The couple afterwards settled near Bournemouth.
📒 to make your permanent home in a country or an area as colonists
- settle something This region was settled by the Dutch in the nineteenth century.
- a fertile area that was densely settled in early times
- settle + adv./prep. They settled on undeveloped land along the Mississippi.
📒 to make yourself or somebody else comfortable in a new position
- settle (back) (+ adv./prep.) Ellie settled back in her seat.
- They prepared to settle in for the night (= make themselves comfortable for an evening at home).
- settle somebody/yourself (+ adv./prep.) He settled himself comfortably in his usual chair.
📒 to put something carefully in a position so that it does not move
- She settled the blanket around her knees.
📒 to become or make somebody/something become calm or relaxed
- The baby wouldn't settle.
- settle somebody/something I took a pill to help settle my nerves.
- This should settle your stomach.
📒 to fall from above and come to rest on something; to stay for some time on something
- Dust had settled on everything.
- Two birds settled on the fence.
- I don't think the snow will settle (= remain on the ground without melting).
📒 to sink slowly down; to make something do this
- The contents of the package may have settled in transit.
- Don't drink it yet. Let the grounds settle.
📒 to pay the money that you owe
- settle something Please settle your bill before leaving the hotel.
- The insurance company is refusing to settle her claim.
- They used the last of the money to settle their debts.
📒 to wait for a situation to become clear or certain
- He waited for the dust to settle after the election before making any new decisions.
📒 to hurt or punish somebody who has harmed or cheated you in the past
- ‘Who would do such a thing?’ ‘Maybe someone with an old score to settle.’
- An embittered Charlotte is determined to settle accounts with Elizabeth.