available
Americanadjective
-
suitable or ready for use; of use or service; at hand.
I used whatever tools were available.
- Synonyms:
- handy, usable, accessible
-
readily obtainable; accessible.
available resources.
-
(of a person) free or willing to do something; not occupied.
I’m sorry, Mrs. Clarke is not available to speak with you right now.
-
not involved in a romantic or sexual relationship; single.
Why would you tell Rachel that I’m available when you know how serious I am about Tina?
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Archaic.
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efficacious, advantageous, or profitable.
-
legally valid.
-
adjective
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obtainable or accessible; capable of being made use of; at hand
-
derogatory politics suitable for public office, usually as a result of having an inoffensive character
Smith was a particularly available candidate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of available
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; see origin at avail, -able
Explanation
"Is this seat available?" "Are you available, or are you married?" As you can tell from these two examples, available means "not busy or not taken." Available can be used to describe anything that's ready to be used like a restaurant table or a theater seat. It can also be used to describe a person who is not involved in a romantic relationship: "Available singles use online dating websites." When you use a resource, like the school library, you can say that you "avail yourself to the research opportunities made available to students." No matter how you slice it, available means free for the taking.
Vocabulary lists containing available
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 1
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Here! Synonyms For "Present"
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"The Secret Water"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We’re excited to attend any event, but were disappointed that none of our first-choice events were available or affordable.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
It will be available to all agents by September.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
Days later, samples still available from her brief hospitalization tested positive for hantavirus, Weyer said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
"The large amounts of aid and investment that perhaps some people in the region need might not be available," says Alexander.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
There was one pretty, feminine thing available for free throughout the war—flowers.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
