Cambridge Cambridge English Dictionaries Online, the web's favourite learner dictionaries
  • Link to us
  • View basket
  • Help

Definition
settle   Show phonetics
verb
1 ARGUMENT [T] If you settle an argument, you solve the problem and stop arguing.
to settle a dispute

2 LIVE [I] to start living somewhere that you are going to live for a long time
He travelled around Europe for years before finally settling in Vienna.

3 DECIDE [T] to decide or arrange something
[often passive] Right, that's settled. We're going to Spain.

4 RELAX [I,T] to relax into a comfortable position
I yawned, and settled back on the sofa.
[often reflexive] She settled herself into the chair opposite.

5 PAY [T] If you settle a bill or a debt, you pay the money that you owe.
I've got some bills to settle.

6 MOVE DOWN [I] to move down towards the ground or the bottom of something and then stay there
Do you think the snow will settle?
See also: the dust settles

The first and last word in dictionaries