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REFERENCE

unavailable

adj.
US //ˌənəˈveɪɫəbəɫ// UK //ʌnɐvˈeɪləbəl// un·avail·able
  1. 1 not obtainable (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not able to be bought, used, or found.

    not able to be obtained, purchased, or utilised at the present time.

    Example

    The book I wanted was unavailable at the local library.

    Example

    The specific replacement parts for the vintage engine are currently unavailable due to a global supply chain disruption.
  2. 2 busy or occupied (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    too busy to talk to someone or do something.

    not free to be consulted or contacted; occupied with other duties.

    Example

    The manager is unavailable for a meeting until tomorrow morning.

    Example

    The lead surgeon remains unavailable for comment while the post-operative assessment is still in progress.
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  1. 3 ineffective (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    not producing the result you want.

    producing no effect; useless or unavailing.

    Example

    Their efforts to fix the old machine proved unavailable in the end.

    Example

    The traditional remedies were found to be unavailable against the virulent new strain of the virus.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is archaic; modern speakers almost exclusively use 'ineffective' or 'useless' instead.
Origin

From un- + available.

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