verfügen

Definition & meaning

The verb verfügen is used in two primary contexts in German:

1. To have at one's disposal/to possess: This is used to describe having something available for use, often referring to resources, money, time, or capabilities. It is almost always used with the preposition über + accusative.

   • Example: Er verfügt über ein großes Vermögen. (He has a large fortune at his disposal.)

2. To order/to decree: This is a formal or legal term used when an authority or official body issues a regulation, command, or formal decision.

   • Example: Das Gericht verfügte die sofortige Freilassung. (The court ordered the immediate release.)

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is a regular (weak) verb. Its past participle is verfügt. As a transitive verb, it can take an accusative object (in the sense of "ordering"), but when meaning "to have at one's disposal," it requires the prepositional object über.
• Origin: The word is derived from the prefix ver- (indicating a thorough or official action) and fügen (to join, to fit, or to arrange). Historically, it implies "fitting" something into a state of order or arranging matters officially.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• In the sense of "having at one's disposal":

  • besitzen ↗ (to own)
  • aufbringen ↗ (to come up with/provide)
  • haben ↗ (to have)

• In the sense of "ordering/decreeing":

  • anordnen ↗ (to order)
  • bestimmen ↗ (to determine/decree)
  • beschließen ↗ (to decide/resolve)

Antonyms:

• In the sense of "having at one's disposal":
  • entbehren ↗ (to lack/be without)
  • mangeln an ↗ (to lack)