ausladen

Definition & meaning

The verb ausladen has three primary meanings in German:

1. To unload: To take goods, cargo, or passengers out of a vehicle (e.g., a truck, ship, or car).
2. To disinvite: To tell someone who was previously invited to an event that they are no longer welcome or that the invitation is withdrawn.
3. To project or jut out: To extend beyond a main surface, describing the structural reach or depth of an object (often used for balconies, roofs, or machines).

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). In the present tense, the prefix aus- moves to the end of the sentence (e.g., "Ich lade den Wagen aus"). It is a strong verb: lädt aus, lud aus, hat ausgeladen.
• Word origin: It is composed of the prefix aus- (out) and the verb laden (to load or to invite).
  • In the context of cargo, laden relates to the Middle High German laden (to heap up).
  • In the context of social invitations, laden relates to the Middle High German laden (to summon or invite).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

• For "to unload": abladen ↗, entladen ↗.
• For "to disinvite": die Einladung zurückziehen ↗.
• For "to project": herausragen ↗, auskragend ↗.

Antonyms

• For "to unload": einladen ↗, beladen ↗.
• For "to disinvite": einladen ↗.