# avail

/əˈveɪɫ/ (US) · /ɐvˈeɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/avail
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. use or benefit

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

- The doctors tried every medicine they had, but to no avail.
- 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. media/press event

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

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

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The agency bought every available avail during the championship game.
- The media buyer struggled to secure prime-time avails during the election cycle as inventory was rapidly depleted by political action committees.

### 4. to use an opportunity

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

### 5. available

adjective · CEFR C2 · Informal · Slang

a short, casual way of saying 'available'.

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

- Let me know if you're avail for a quick call this afternoon.
- The producer asked the lead actor if he was avail for the reshoots scheduled for the following weekend.

### 6. to provide

verb · CEFR C1 · Dialect

to provide or make something available for someone to use.

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

- The school will avail the necessary books to all students next week.
- The department has promised to avail the funds as soon as the administrative audit is completed.

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

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.