What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
populate
Example
The island was populated by settlers from Europe. [populate: verb]
Example
The population of the city has grown rapidly in recent years. [population: noun]
settle
Example
The family decided to settle in the countryside after years of living in the city. [settle: verb]
Example
After much negotiation, the two parties were able to settle their differences. [settle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Settle is more commonly used than populate in everyday language. Settle is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while populate is less common and is mostly used in the context of geography or demographics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between populate and settle?
Both populate and settle are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
