resettle
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪsˈɛtəl/
US
- /riˈsɛtəl/
Description
- start again in a new place
- find a new home
- build a stable life again
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.
The word "resettle" describes the process of moving to a new location and re-establishing one's life there. It goes beyond simply changing addresses; it implies building a new home, finding work or education, integrating into a community, and creating a sense of stability after a period of displacement or disruption.
Often, "resettle" is used in the context of refugees or those displaced by conflict, natural disasters, or economic hardship. Organizations dedicated to helping these populations focus on resettlement services—providing housing assistance, language training, job placement support, and cultural orientation. For example: "The agency helped hundreds of families resettle after the hurricane devastated their coastal town."
However, "resettle" is not limited to the most dramatic situations. A family might resettle in a new town to be closer to relatives after losing their home, or someone might resettle in another country after years of uncertainty. The word is most natural when it suggests not just movement, but the effort of becoming settled again after disruption.
The act of resettling often involves challenges—adapting to a new culture, overcoming language barriers, dealing with bureaucracy, and building a new social network. But it also represents hope, resilience, and the opportunity for a fresh start. So, whether it's a family rebuilding after loss or an individual seeking new opportunities, resettling is about creating a new foundation for life to flourish.
Examples
- 1
Government housing
The government plans to resettle hundreds of families in new housing near the city.
- 2
After war
After the war, many people were resettled in neighboring countries.
- 3
Refugee support
The charity helps refugees resettle and find work in their new communities.
- 4
Moving home
It took her a while to resettle after moving back to her hometown.
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- resettleverb
Forms
- resettledpast tenseverb
- resettling-ing formverb
- resettlesverb