settle

To find an answer that ends an argument or legal problem.

• We settled our argument.
• The two companies settled the case yesterday.
• Can you help us settle this dispute?

How to use it: settle something with someone (We settled the dispute with our neighbours.)

Similar words: resolve

Common phrases: settle a dispute, settle an argument, settle a case

To make a final decision about something.

• That settles the matter.
• We have settled on a name for the baby.
• Have you settled the date yet?

How to use it: settle on something (We settled on a date for the wedding.)

Similar words: decide, determine

Common phrases: settle the matter, settle a date, settle the question

To move to a place and make it your home, or bring people there to live.

• They settled in Canada.
• Many families settled near the river.
• The island was settled several centuries ago.

How to use it: settle in a place (Her family settled in a small coastal town.)

Similar words: make a home, populate

Common phrases: settle in something, settle a region, settle near someone

To become calm, quiet, or still.

• Please settle down.
• The class finally settled after the teacher arrived.
• The sea should settle by morning.

How to use it: settle down (The children settled down after lunch.); settle someone down (A quiet story helped settle the baby down.)

Similar words: calm down, quiet down

Common phrases: settle down, settle someone down

To move into a position and stay there, often comfortably or near the bottom.

• The dust slowly settled.
• He settled into his favourite chair.
• Small stones had settled at the bottom of the jar.

How to use it: settle into something (She settled into a comfortable chair.); settle on something (Dust settled on the shelves.)

Similar words: come to rest

Common phrases: settle into something, settle at bottom, settle in something

To accept something although you wanted something better.

• Do not settle for less.
• She settled for a sandwich because the kitchen was closed.
• Would you settle for second place?

How to use it: settle for something (We wanted a bigger flat but settled for this one.)

Similar words: make do with

Common phrases: settle for something, settle for less