settle
verb
ˈsetl 
ˈsetl end argument
1 [transitive, intransitive] settle (something) to put an end to an argument or a disagreementto settle a dispute/an argument/a matterIt's time you settled your differences with your father.I want this thing settled.There is pressure on the unions to settle.The company has agreed to settle out of court (= come to an agreement without going to court).decide/arrange
2 [transitive, often passive] to decide or arrange something finallysettle 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.He had to settle his affairs (= arrange all his personal business) in Paris before he could return home.it is settled that… It's been settled that we leave on the nine o'clock plane.choose permanent home
3 [intransitive] + adverb/preposition to make a place your permanent homeShe settled in Vienna after her father's death.4 [transitive, usually passive, intransitive] settle something| + adverb/preposition (of a group of people) to make your permanent home in a country or an area as colonistsThis region was settled by the Dutch in the nineteenth century.into comfortable position/state
5 [intransitive, transitive] to make yourself or somebody else comfortable in a new positionsettle (back) (+ adverb/preposition) Ellie settled back in her seat.settle somebody/yourself (+ adverb/preposition) He settled himself comfortably in his usual chair.I settled her on the sofa and put a blanket over her.6 [transitive] settle something + adverb/preposition to put something carefully in a position so that it does not moveShe settled the blanket around her knees.7 [intransitive, transitive] to become or make somebody/something become calm or relaxedThe baby wouldn't settle.settle somebody/something I took a pill to help settle my nerves.This should settle your stomach.come to rest
8 [intransitive] settle (on/over something) to fall from above and come to rest on something; to stay for some time on somethingDust had settled on everything.Two birds settled on the fence.I don't think the snow will settle (= remain on the ground without melting).His gaze settled on her face.sink down
9 [intransitive, transitive] settle (something) to sink slowly down; to make something do thisThe contents of the package may have settled in transit.pay money
10 [transitive, intransitive] to pay the money that you owesettle something Please settle your bill before leaving the hotel.The insurance company is refusing to settle her claim.settle (up) (with somebody) Let me settle with you for the meal.I'll pay now—we can settle up later.Idioms
settle a score/an account (with somebody)
|settle an old score
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.’Phrasal verbs
settle down
1 to get into a comfortable position, either sitting or lyingShe settled down in an armchair to watch television.I settled down with a book.2 to start to have a quieter way of life, living in one placeWhen are you going to get married and settle down?It's time I settled down.settle down
|settle somebody 
down
to become or make somebody become calm, less excited, etcIt always takes the class a while to settle down at the start of the lesson.Now, come on, settle down!I'm sure things will settle down soon.The early goal settled the home side down.settle (down) to something
to begin to give your attention to somethingThey finally settled down to a discussion of the main issues.He found it hard to settle to his work.settle for something
to accept something that is not exactly what you want but is the best that is availableIn the end they had to settle for a draw.I couldn't afford the house I really wanted, so I had to settle for second best.He didn't see why he should settle for less.settle in
|settle into something
to move into a new home, job, etc. and start to feel comfortable thereHow are the kids settling into their new school?It's not always easy for a new player to settle in.settle on something
to choose or make a decision about something after thinking about itHave you settled on a name for the baby yet?settle something on somebody
(law) to formally arrange to give money or property to somebody, especially in a willHe settled part of his estate on his son.
Usage note: The ages of lifeChildhood/youthbe born and raised/bred in Oxford; into a wealthy/middle-class familyhave a happy/an unhappy/a tough childhoodgrow up in a musical family/an orphanage; on a farmbe/grow up an only child (= with no brothers or sisters)reach/hit/enter/go through adolescence/pubertybe in your teens/early twenties/mid-twenties/late twentiesundergo/experience physical/psychological changesgive in to/succumb to/resist peer pressureassert your independence/individualityAdulthoodleave school/university/homego out to work (at sixteen)get/find a job/partnerbe/get engaged/marriedhave/get a wife/husband/mortgage/steady jobsettle down and have kids/children/a familybegin/start/launch/build a career (in politics/science/the music industry)prove (to be)/represent/mark/reach a (major) turning point for somebody/in your life/careerreach/be well into/settle into middle agehave/suffer/go through a midlife crisistake/consider early retirementapproach/announce/enjoy your retirementOld agehave/see/spend time with your grandchildrentake up/pursue/develop a hobbyget/receive/draw/collect/live on a pensionapproach/save for/die from old agelive to a ripe old agereach the grand old age of 102/23 (often ironic)be/become/be getting/be going senile (often ironic)die (peacefully)/pass away in your sleep/after a brief illness