settle

/ˈsetl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsetl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈse-tᵊl/ (ame, mw)

settle — 動詞

1. to bring a disagreement, argument, or legal case to a final end by making a join

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

解決；和解

結束爭議達成雙方接受決定

to bring a disagreement, argument, or legal case to a final end by making a joint decision that both sides accept.

例句

The two companies settled their dispute over the patent rights out of court.

兩家公司針對專利權的糾紛在庭外達成了和解。

settle a dispute/argument/case

Eri and Tanvi settled their argument about whose turn it was to clean the kitchen.

Eri 和 Tanvi 解決了關於誰該打掃廚房的爭吵。

同義詞
  • resolve

    more formal, used for problems and issues rather than personal arguments

  • reach an agreement

    emphasises the outcome rather than the process

  • negotiate

    focuses on the discussion process, not necessarily the final decision

反義詞
  • disagree

    the opposite of reaching an agreement

  • dispute

    to continue arguing or disagreeing

文法句型

settle + noun phrase (dispute, argument, case)

settle + for + noun phrase (amount, terms)

settle + on/upon + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in legal and workplace contexts. The object is typically a disagreement, dispute, case, argument, or lawsuit.

常見錯誤

❌We settled about the price.
✅We settled on the price.
💡use 'settle on' when talking about a specific choice, not 'settle about'.
❌They settled the problem quickly.
✅They settled the dispute quickly.
💡'settle' fits disagreements better than general problems; use 'resolve' for problems.

2. to decide all the final details of a plan, arrangement, price, or schedule so th

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

敲定；定案

決定最終細節不再變動

to decide all the final details of a plan, arrangement, price, or schedule so that nothing remains uncertain or unfinished.

例句

The couple still need to settle the date for their wedding reception.

這對情侶還需要確定婚宴的日期。

settle the date/price/details

Anya settled the price of the used car with the seller after a short negotiation.

Anya 和車主經過短暫的議價後確定了二手車的價格。

同義詞
  • finalize

    nearly identical in meaning but slightly more formal

  • confirm

    focuses on making something official rather than deciding the details

  • fix

    informal, common in British English

反義詞

文法句型

settle + noun phrase (date, price, terms, details)

用法筆記

The object is always a detail or plan that needs a final decision — the date of an event, the price of a purchase, or the terms of an agreement. Not used with personal opinions.

常見錯誤

❌We settled what movie to watch.
✅We settled on what movie to watch.
💡use the phrasal verb 'settle on' for choosing from options.

3. to move your body into a relaxed, comfortable position, usually after finding a

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

安頓；坐好

將身體調整到舒適的位置

to move your body into a relaxed, comfortable position, usually after finding a suitable spot to sit or lie down.

例句

Sade settled into the armchair with a cup of hot tea and a novel.

Sade 端著一杯熱茶、拿著一本小說，舒服地坐進扶手椅裡。

settle into [furniture/place]

The old cat settled on the soft blanket by the fireplace and fell asleep.

那隻老貓在壁爐旁的軟毯子上安頓下來，很快就睡著了。

同義詞
  • get comfortable

    more informal, used for the same physical action

  • nestle

    suggests a warmer, more affectionate movement

  • curl up

    specific to a curled body position, usually on a sofa or bed

反義詞
  • get up

    the opposite action of sitting or lying down

文法句型

settle + adverb phrase (into, on, back)

settle + noun phrase + adverb phrase

用法筆記

Often used with an adverb or prepositional phrase (into, on, back, down). The transitive form ('settle someone somewhere') is common when a person carefully places another person or thing into a comfortable spot.

4. to choose a particular place and begin living there for a long time, especially

4.動詞不及物B1
釋義

定居

選擇某地長期居住

to choose a particular place and begin living there for a long time, especially after having moved around or travelled.

例句

After travelling for three years, Sofia settled in a small fishing town by the coast.

Sofia 旅行了三年之後，在一個海邊的小漁村定居下來。

settle in [place] — establish a home

The Chen family settled in Canada after leaving their home country during the war.

戰爭期間，陳家人離開了故鄉，最後在加拿大定居。

同義詞
  • put down roots

    more informal and figurative; suggests deep community involvement

  • establish oneself

    more formal; implies building a career and life

  • move to

    weaker — does not carry the sense of permanence

反義詞

文法句型

settle + in/at + place

settle + region/country/city

用法筆記

The subject is usually a person, family, or group. The place is introduced with 'in' (a country, city, town, or region) or 'at' (a more specific location).

常見錯誤

❌I settled at Taipei.
✅I settled in Taipei.
💡use 'in' for cities, regions, and countries.

5. to begin taking part in a match or competition with full focus and a calm, stead

5.動詞不及物B1
釋義

進入狀態

放鬆專注地開始比賽

to begin taking part in a match or competition with full focus and a calm, steady mindset after the initial warm-up or nervousness.

例句

The tennis player took a deep breath and settled before serving the first ball.

那位網球選手深吸一口氣，讓自己靜下來才發出第一球。

After a few shaky moves, the chess champion settled and began playing with confidence.

在幾步不穩的開局之後，那位西洋棋冠軍穩住心神，開始自信地落子。

settle + and + begin playing

同義詞
反義詞
  • get rattled

    to become nervous and lose focus during play

文法句型

settle (into) + game/match

settle + to + verb

用法筆記

Primarily used in sports commentary and informal conversation about games. The sense focuses on the mental transition from preparation to active, focused play.

6. for a group of people to arrive in a new region and build homes, create farms or

6.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

殖民；開墾

移入新地區建立家園

for a group of people to arrive in a new region and build homes, create farms or towns, and begin living there as a community.

例句

European families first settled the east coast of North America in the early 1600s.

歐洲家庭在十七世紀初期首先在北美東岸開墾定居。

settle + region — to colonise an area

The river valley was settled by farmers who cleared the thick forest to plant crops.

這片河谷由農民開墾定居，他們清除了茂密的森林來種植作物。

passive: be settled by [group]

同義詞
  • colonize

    more specific and often more political; implies taking control of land

  • populate

    focuses on people moving into an area rather than building a community

反義詞
  • abandon

    to leave a place empty or uninhabited

文法句型

settle + region/land

be settled by + group

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 focuses on an individual or family choosing a home; sense 6 focuses on a group establishing a settlement in a new area, often with historical or colonial overtones.

7. When small pieces of a solid substance slowly fall through air or liquid and sto

7.動詞不及物B2
釋義

沈降；沉澱

細小物體緩緩落下停在某處

When small pieces of a solid substance slowly fall through air or liquid and stop moving, they settle. For example, dust falling onto furniture, snow landing on the ground, or sand grains sinking to the bottom of a jar of water.

例句

After the storm, a fine layer of dust settled on every surface in the living room.

暴風雨過後，一層細細的灰塵落在客廳的每個表面上。

settle + on [surface] for particles coming to rest

Linh let the muddy water sit overnight so the sand could settle at the bottom.

Linh 讓混濁的水靜置一整夜，這樣沙粒就能沉澱到水底。

settle + at the bottom for sinking sediment

同義詞
  • sink

    stronger downward force; used for heavy objects in liquid, not fine particles in air

  • descend

    more formal and general; does not imply coming to rest

反義詞
  • rise

    upward movement of particles or bubbles

文法句型

settle + prepositional phrase (on/to/at the bottom)

用法筆記

Subject is typically a fine substance (dust, snow, sand, sediment, grounds) rather than a person. Not used for large objects falling — that sense is covered by drop or sink.

常見錯誤

❌The heavy box settled on the floor.
✅The heavy box dropped onto the floor.
💡'settle' is for gentle, slow downward movement of fine particles, not heavy objects falling.

8. To pay all the money you owe on a bill, loan, insurance claim, or other financia

8.動詞及物B2
釋義

結清；付清

支付所有欠款以關閉帳戶

To pay all the money you owe on a bill, loan, insurance claim, or other financial account, especially to close it completely so no further payment is needed.

例句

Hannah settled her credit card bill before the due date to avoid paying interest.

Hannah 在截止日前結清了信用卡帳單，以避免支付利息。

settle + bill for paying off a statement

The insurance company settled the claim within two weeks of the car accident.

保險公司在車禍發生後兩週內就理賠結案了。

settle + claim for insurance payments

同義詞
  • pay off

    more informal; suggests completing a series of payments

  • clear

    used of debts or cheques; more British

反義詞
  • owe

    being in debt rather than ending it

文法句型

settle + noun phrase (bill/debt/claim/account)

用法筆記

Object is always a financial obligation: bill, debt, claim, account, loan, invoice. Cannot be used for the person you owe money to (settle the bank, not settle the lender).

常見錯誤

❌I settled the bank yesterday.
✅I settled my loan with the bank yesterday.
💡'settle' takes the debt or account as the object, not the institution.

9. To stop feeling nervous, upset, or excited and become quiet and relaxed, or to h

9.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

平靜；安定

停止緊張或激動恢復平靜

To stop feeling nervous, upset, or excited and become quiet and relaxed, or to help someone or something become quiet and relaxed.

例句

The crying baby finally settled when Nora held her close and hummed softly.

哭鬧的寶寶在 Nora 抱著她輕輕哼唱後，終於安靜了下來。

intransitive: person becomes calm

Owen took a few slow deep breaths to settle his nerves before the job interview.

Owen 在求職面試前做了幾次緩慢的深呼吸來穩定情緒。

transitive: settle + nerves

同義詞
  • calm down

    more common in spoken English; always intransitive or reflexive

  • compose oneself

    more formal; implies deliberate effort

反義詞
  • agitate

    to make someone nervous or upset

  • panic

    sudden strong fear opposite to calm

文法句型

settle (intransitive)

settle + noun phrase (nerves/stomach/child)

用法筆記

Frequently used with body-related nouns: nerves, stomach, heart. For people as objects it often describes calming children or animals; for adults, the reflexive settle yourself or intransitive settle down is more common.

常見錯誤

❌The noise settled after everyone left.
✅The noise died down after everyone left.
💡'settle' is about people or animals calming, not sounds or noise levels.

10. To reach a steady level or fixed state after a period of change, movement, or un

10.動詞不及物B2
釋義

趨於穩定

經過變化後達到平穩狀態

To reach a steady level or fixed state after a period of change, movement, or uncertainty, and then stay at that level without further change. Used for prices, weather, conditions, or abstract forces.

例句

House prices in the area finally settled after two years of rapid increases.

該地區的房價在經過兩年快速上漲後，終於穩定了下來。

settle for prices reaching a steady level

Karim decided to wait for the political situation to settle before investing in the region.

Karim 決定等政治局勢穩定後，再投資那個地區。

settle for a situation becoming stable

同義詞
  • stabilise

    more technical; common in economics and engineering

  • level off

    specifically about a quantity stopping its increase or decrease

反義詞

文法句型

settle + at/into + noun phrase (level/state/pattern)

用法筆記

Subject is a situation, condition, or measurable quantity (price, rate, weather, situation). Not used for personal emotional calming — that sense belongs to BECOME CALM (sense 9). The expression let the dust settle means waiting for a confusing or changing situation to become clear before acting.

常見錯誤

❌She settled after hearing the good news.
✅She calmed down after hearing the good news.
💡'settle' for emotional calming takes an object (settle her nerves) or uses settle down; 'settle' alone without an object for a person means becoming stable in life.

11. To punish or harm someone who has previously cheated or offended you, as a delib

11.動詞及物C1
釋義

算帳；報復

對過去傷害自己的人進行報復

To punish or harm someone who has previously cheated or offended you, as a deliberate act of revenge.

例句

After losing the championship match last year, the team was eager to settle the score this season.

去年在冠軍賽中失利後，整個球隊本賽季急於算清這筆帳。

fixed expression: settle the score

Hamza used the meeting to settle an old score with a colleague who had stolen his idea.

Hamza 利用公司會議的機會，跟那個搶功的同事算了一筆舊帳。

fixed expression: settle an old score

同義詞
  • get even

    more informal; implies matching the harm rather than punishing

  • pay back

    can mean financial repayment or revenge depending on context

反義詞
  • forgive

    to let go of the desire for revenge

文法句型

settle + a score / an old score

用法筆記

Almost always used in the fixed expressions settle a score or settle an old score. The score refers figuratively to a past injury or wrong. Cannot take a person as direct object (settle him is incorrect; settle a score with him is correct).

常見錯誤

❌He settled his enemy.
✅He settled a score with his enemy.
💡'settle' in this sense requires 'a score' or 'an old score' as the object, not the person.

settle — 名詞