avail
n. uncountablen. the use, help, or benefit of something. It is almost always used in the phrase 'to no avail' to say that someone tried hard but failed.
n. use, benefit, or advantage. Primarily occurs within the fixed prepositional phrase 'to no avail', indicating that an effort was unsuccessful.
He tried to open the door, but to no avail.
The rescue team searched the forest for three days to no avail before calling for reinforcements.
Despite the diplomat's tireless efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, his interventions were of little avail against the deep-seated animosity between the two factions.
From Middle English availen (“to be of use”), from Old French a (“to”) + vail from valoir (“to be worth”), from Latin valere (“to be worthy, strong”).
Almost exclusively used in the negative construction 'to no avail' or the formal 'of little avail'.
He tried to avail the doorHe tried to open the door to no availLearners often try to use 'avail' as a direct synonym for 'use' or 'help' in a simple sentence, but it is restricted to specific idiomatic phrases.