Definition

Verb: 1. To make a final decision or choice after consideration: To agree upon or select something definitively from a set of options. 2. To become fixed or stationary (on something): To come to rest or focus on a particular point or object.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (To decide):
  • After weeks of looking, they finally settled on a name for their baby.
  • We couldn't decide between the blue or the grey paint, but we settled on a light green instead.
  • The committee settled on a date for the annual conference.
• Verb (To become fixed):
  • A strange silence settled on the room as everyone waited for the news.
  • Her gaze settled on the old photograph, lost in memory.
  • Dust had settled on every surface of the abandoned house.

Advanced Usage

• "To settle on someone/something" implies a conclusion to a period of deliberation or movement. It often carries a nuance of finality or resolution.
  • The responsibility for the project ultimately settled on the most experienced team member.

Variants and Related Words

• Settle (verb): To resolve, to come to rest, or to establish a home.
• Settlement (noun): An official agreement or a community.
• Settled (adjective): Fixed, established, or calm.

Synonyms

• Decide on
• Choose
• Opt for
• Fix on
• Alight on
• Come to rest on

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Settle for: To accept something that is less than what one wanted.
  • We wanted a house with a garden, but we had to settle for an apartment.
• Settle down: To become calm, quiet, or established in a stable life.
  • The children need to settle down and go to sleep.
• Settle in: To become comfortable in a new place or situation.
  • It took her a few months to settle in at her new job.

Related Idioms

• Let the dust settle: To wait for a situation to become calm or clear after a big change or disturbance.
  • After the merger, we need to let the dust settle before making new plans.

Verb

1. become fixed (on)
   • Her eyes fixated on a point on the horizon