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resettle

C2
Uncommon

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rɪsˈɛtəl/

US

  • /riˈsɛtəl/

Meanings

Verb

  1. to move to a new place to live again, or help someone do so, especially after displacement

  2. to settle back down after being disturbed, especially of dust or sediment

Beyond the definition

To resettle means to move to a new place and begin life again there, often after being forced to leave your original home. It's more than just moving; it suggests rebuilding a life by finding housing, work, community, and a sense of belonging. Think of refugees starting over in a new country, or people displaced by natural disasters trying to build a stable home again.

You might resettle after a major life change, but the word often carries heavier meaning and suggests hardship, recovery, and a fresh start after difficult circumstances. A family might resettle in a safer town after a flood, or in a new country after war. The key idea is building a new, stable life.

Examples

  1. 1

    Government housing

    The government plans to resettle hundreds of families in new housing near the city.

  2. 2

    After war

    After the war, many people were resettled in neighboring countries.

  3. 3

    Refugee support

    The charity helps refugees resettle and find work in their new communities.

  4. 4

    Moving home

    It took her a while to resettle after moving back to her hometown.

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • resettle refugees
  • resettle displaced people
  • resettle in a new country

Word family

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Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • resettleverb

Forms

  • resettledpast tenseverb
  • resettling-ing formverb
  • resettlesverb