verb

schließen

Etwas zumachen, sodass es nicht mehr offen ist.

Definition & meaning

schließen has several related meanings:

To close or shut something, such as a door, window, or shop: to bring it into a closed position. It can also mean that a business or venue closes for the day.
To lock something in some contexts, though abschließen is more precise when you mean locking with a key.
To conclude or complete something, such as an agreement, a meeting, or a transaction.
To infer or draw a conclusion from evidence. In this sense, it often appears with aus (“from”).
To join or follow when used reflexively with an: a person or group joins or aligns with someone or something.

Grammar & Word origin

schließen is an irregular strong verb. Its principal forms are schließen , schloss , and geschlossen . It normally takes haben as its auxiliary verb.

It can be used with a direct object, as in closing a door, or without one, as in a shop closing. The reflexive form sich schließen can mean “to join” or “to come together.” The verb itself is not separable.

The word comes from Old High German sliozan , meaning “to close” or “to lock.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary by meaning:

zumachen and verschließen mean “to close” or “shut.” Verschließen often suggests securing something or keeping it firmly closed.
abschließen means “to lock” with a key, or “to complete” something. It is more specific than schließen in these senses.
beenden means “to end” or “bring to an end,” and is a common alternative when schließen means “conclude.”
folgern and ableiten mean “to infer” or “derive.” They are alternatives when schließen means drawing a conclusion from evidence.

Antonyms also depend on the sense:

öffnen means “to open,” the direct opposite when schließen means “close.”
beginnen means “to begin,” the opposite when schließen means “conclude” or “bring to an end.”