Phrase guide

settle for

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • He couldn't afford the expensive headphones, so he decided to settle for the lower-quality set.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: tyytyä — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • German: sich mit etwas zufriedengeben — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Hungarian: megelégszik — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Hungarian: beéri — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Italian: accontentarsi — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Polish: obywać się — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Polish: obyć się — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Polish: ograniczać się do — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Polish: ograniczyć się do — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Polish: poprzestawać — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Polish: poprzestać — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Polish: zadowalać się — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Polish: zadowolić się — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Spanish: conformarse con — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Spanish: complacerse son — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Spanish: contentarse con — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable
  • Spanish: resignarse con — to accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable