1 B1 neutral
To gradually become comfortable in a new home or place of residence.
"It took her a few weeks to settle in after moving to a new city."
inseparable
settle in
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To become comfortable and established in a new place, job, or situation.
In plain English
To start feeling at home in a new place after arriving.
What does "settle in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To become established and comfortable in a new job or social environment.
"The new teacher settled in quickly and the students already loved her."
inseparable
3 B2 neutral
To help someone become comfortable in a new situation (transitive use).
"The manager spent the morning settling in the new recruits."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place oneself inside somewhere and become still — physically settling within a space.
Actually means
To start feeling at home in a new place after arriving.
Usage tip
Often used after moving to a new home, starting a new job, or beginning school. Can also be used transitively to help someone settle in (e.g. 'help the new student settle in').
Words that pair with "settle in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
new home new job school quickly well neighbourhood
How to conjugate "settle in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
settle in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
settles in
he/she/it
Past simple
settled in
yesterday
Past participle
settled in
have + pp
-ing form
settling in
continuous
Hear "settle in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "settle in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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