1 B2 neutral
To reach a financial or legal agreement with someone to resolve a dispute or claim.
"The company chose to settle with the claimants out of court to avoid a lengthy trial."
inseparable
settle with
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To reach a financial or legal resolution with someone, or to pay a debt to a specific person or organisation.
In plain English
To sort out money or a disagreement with someone until everything is fair.
What does "settle with" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To pay a debt or financial obligation to a specific person or organisation.
"She settled with the builder once the work was completed to her satisfaction."
inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic informal
(Informal, slightly threatening) To get revenge on or confront someone about a grievance.
"Don't worry — I'll settle with him later for what he said."
inseparable
Usage tip
Used in both legal contexts (settling a lawsuit) and informal financial contexts (paying someone back). The phrase 'I'll settle with you later' can also carry a mild threatening undertone in informal speech.
Words that pair with "settle with"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
creditors insurance company plaintiff contractor lender dispute
How to conjugate "settle with"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
settle with
I/you/we/they
3rd person
settles with
he/she/it
Past simple
settled with
yesterday
Past participle
settled with
have + pp
-ing form
settling with
continuous
Hear "settle with" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "settle with" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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