afmelden

Afmelden is a Dutch verb meaning to indicate that one is leaving a service, deregistering, or signing off from a system. The term is used in several domains, including information technology, mailings and memberships, and other administrative contexts.

In information technology, afmelden refers to ending a session or terminating access to a computer, application, or online account. In user interfaces the action may be labeled afmelden or uitloggen, depending on the product. When used for newsletters or subscriptions, afmelden means unsubscribing from future messages; the user stops receiving mailings.

In civil or organizational contexts, afmelden describes the act of deregistering from a club, association, service, or government registry. This often requires a formal request and may involve confirming identity and stating a reason. Consequences can include loss of access, removal from lists, or the cessation of memberships and data rights.

Etymology: af- is a prefix meaning "off" or "away" and melden means "to report" or "to announce." The term conveys reporting that one no longer participates or is present. Related terms include afmelding (the act of deregistration) and uitschrijven (to unsubscribe from a mailing list or to resign from membership). In practice, usage varies by context, with some domains preferring afmelden and others using uitschrijven or uitloggen.

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