adjectiveother

abgelaufen

expired · expire

Definition & Meaning

The word abgelaufen has two primary meanings depending on the context:

Expired: It refers to something that has passed its validity period, such as a deadline, a contract, a prescription, or a food item that has passed its "best before" date.
Worn out: It refers to objects, particularly footwear, that have become damaged or thinned out through heavy use or walking. For example, the soles of shoes can be "abgelaufen."

In a less common sense, it can also describe an event that has "taken place" or "transpired" (as in "Wie ist das Treffen abgelaufen?"), though this is usually expressed through the verb ablaufen.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

abgelaufen is the past participle of the irregular verb ablaufen .
It functions as an adjective when placed before a noun (e.g., ein abgelaufener Reisepass).
It is often used with the auxiliary verb sein to describe a state (e.g., Die Milch ist abgelaufen).

Word origin: The word is a composition of the prefix ab- (meaning off, away, or down) and the verb laufen (to run or to walk). Literally, it describes something that has "run away" or "run down."