settled
Americanadjective
-
fixed or established; unlikely to change.
Like most of us, he has settled habits and opinions.
-
agreed upon; decided.
the rules of settled grammatical usage.
-
having inhabitants or settlers.
settled regions of the country.
-
having a permanent residence; not wandering.
In time the Israelites became a settled people.
Synonym Usage
See staid.
Etymology
Origin of settled
First recorded in 1550–60; settle 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Morales announced last year — before the suit was settled — that he was stepping down as president at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
GSA now say this was settled to its satisfaction last month.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The SEC and Justice Department dropped or settled cases with key World Liberty investors and partners.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Only a mint green handbag and full sleeves of tattoos suggested that Gen Z’s reigning rock star had settled in to talk about his new album “Oh Yeah?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
He licked the cub’s muzzle, and Wolf nuzzled his chin, then settled against him with a ‘humph’.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.