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adjectiveadverb

fristlos

without notice

Definition & meaning

The word fristlos is an adjective and adverb in German that translates to "without notice," "immediate," or "without a deadline."

In a legal or professional context, it is most commonly used to describe the termination of a contract or employment that takes effect immediately. For example, a fristlose Kündigung is a dismissal without the usual notice period, typically occurring because of a serious breach of contract or misconduct. Outside of legal contexts, it implies that something happens without any delay or grace period.

Grammar & Word origin

The word is composed of two parts:

  1. die Frist: A noun meaning "period of time," "deadline," or "term."
  2. -los: A common German suffix equivalent to the English "-less," indicating the absence of something.

Etymologically, fristlos literally means "period-less." It functions both as an adjective (e.g., eine fristlose Entlassung) and as an adverb (e.g., jemanden fristlos entlassen).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • sofort: immediately / at once.
  • unverzüglich: without delay / prompt.
  • umgehend: immediate / by return.
  • augenblicklich: instantaneous / at this moment.

Antonyms:

  • fristgemäß: according to the deadline / within the time limit.
  • fristgerecht: on time / meeting the deadline.
  • ordentlich: regular (often used in "ordentliche Kündigung" to describe a termination that respects the notice period).
  • befristet: limited / temporary / having a set deadline.

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Examples

Der Mitarbeiter wurde fristlos gekündigt.adverb

The employee was dismissed without notice.

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