avail

American  

[uh-veyl] / əˈveɪl /

verb (used with object)

1. to be of use or value to; profit; advantage.

   All our efforts availed us little in trying to effect a change.

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verb (used without object)

1. to be of use; have force or efficacy; serve; help.

   His strength did not avail against the hostile onslaught.

2. to be of value or profit.

noun

1. advantage; use; efficacy; effective use in the achievement of a goal or objective.

   His belated help will be of little or no avail.

2. Archaic. avails, profits or proceeds.

idioms

1. avail oneself of, to use to one's advantage.

   They availed themselves of the opportunity to hear a free concert.

avail British  

/ əˈveɪl /

verb

1. to be of use, advantage, profit, or assistance (to)

2. to make use of to one's advantage

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noun

1. use or advantage (esp in the phrases of no avail, to little avail )

avail More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing avail

• to no avail

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Other Word Forms

• availingly adverb
• unavailed adjective

Etymology

Origin of avail

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English availe, from a- a- ² + Old French vail-, noun stem of valoir “to be worth,” from Latin valēre “to be strong, be well, be of worth”

Example Sentences

Consolidating second spot in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics led by as much as 34 points in the third quarter, before the Warriors reduced the deficit but to no avail.

From Barron's

She said she had visited 21 doctors over the years trying to investigate her condition, to no avail.

From Los Angeles Times

For years, critics have argued that the dollar’s place of primacy would erode, to no avail.

From Barron's

Botswana and its president, Duma Boko, De Beers' biggest producer partner with a 15-percent holding, led a determined push to finalise a deal by last year but to no avail.

From Barron's

They finally used a bystander’s legs as a makeshift platform — to no avail.

From Los Angeles Times