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?
-
Archaic.
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efficacious, advantageous, or profitable.
-
legally valid.
-
adjective
-
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.
If support is consistently available, you are more likely to see others as reliable.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
The government said the courses available from Year 10 would be linked to local jobs and industries.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Beginning early next year, Peacock will be available as part of YouTube Premium’s U.S. subscription bundle, which also includes ad-free videos and music.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
But because neither those funds nor the paid care workers are available to take the place of family members, the system will continue to rely on families.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Bright songbirds, drab little sparrows, huge black ravens, and a handful of hawks and eagles swooped in, landing on any available surface.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
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.
