ENGLISH
REFERENCE

avail

n. · v. · adj.
US //əˈveɪɫ// UK //ɐvˈeɪl// avail
  1. 1 use or benefit (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    use, purpose, or help. You usually see this in the phrase 'to no avail', which means an effort failed.

    utility, benefit, or efficacy in achieving a goal. In modern standard English, it is almost exclusively restricted to the prepositional phrase 'to no avail', functioning as a predicative or adverbial of result.

    Example

    The doctors tried every medicine they had, but to no avail.

    Example

    The rescue teams worked through the night to reach the trapped climbers, but their efforts were to no avail due to the worsening blizzard.
  2. 2 media/press event (n.)
    C2 Proficiency American English Technical Politics

    a short name for a 'press avail', which is a scheduled time for reporters to ask questions.

    a scheduled opportunity for journalists to interview a public figure, typically a politician or celebrity. A clipping of 'availability', common in political communication and public relations.

    Example

    The senator held a quick avail at the airport before his flight.

    Example

    The campaign manager scheduled a brief press avail on the tarmac to address the recent polling data before the candidate departed for the next rally.
  3. 3 advertising slot (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

    a specific time slot that is available for a television or radio advertisement.

    a specific time period or 'spot' available for purchase by an advertiser within a broadcast schedule.

    Example

    The agency bought every available avail during the championship game.

    Example

    The media buyer struggled to secure prime-time avails during the election cycle as inventory was rapidly depleted by political action committees.
  4. 4 to use an opportunity (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to use or take advantage of something that is available to you.

    to make use of or take advantage of an opportunity or resource. Frequently used reflexively with 'of' (e.g., 'to avail oneself of').

    Example

    You should avail yourself of the free training offered by the company.

    Example

    Guests are encouraged to avail themselves of the full range of spa facilities during their stay at the resort.

    Usage

    Usually reflexive: 'avail oneself of [something]'.
    Pitfall
    You should avail the opportunity.
    You should avail yourself of the opportunity.

    In standard English, 'avail' is usually reflexive and requires the preposition 'of'.

  5. 5 available (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal Slang

    a short, casual way of saying 'available'.

    a colloquial clipping of 'available', used in informal contexts or shorthand.

    Example

    Let me know if you're avail for a quick call this afternoon.

    Example

    The producer asked the lead actor if he was avail for the reshoots scheduled for the following weekend.
  6. 6 to provide (v.)
    C1 Advanced Dialect

    to provide or make something available for someone to use.

    to provide or make a resource available. This usage is characteristic of specific regional varieties of English.

    Example

    The school will avail the necessary books to all students next week.

    Example

    The department has promised to avail the funds as soon as the administrative audit is completed.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is common in Indian and South African English but may be misunderstood as 'to use' in British or American English.
Origin

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”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

Last updated June 20, 2026