avail
Americanverb (used with object)
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avails,
present (3rd person singular)
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availed,
past participle, past
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availing
present participle
verb (used without object)
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avails,
present (3rd person singular)
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availed,
past participle, past
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availing
present participle
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to be of use; have force or efficacy; serve; help.
His strength did not avail against the hostile onslaught.
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to be of value or profit.
noun
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advantage; use; efficacy; effective use in the achievement of a goal or objective.
His belated help will be of little or no avail.
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Archaic. avails, profits or proceeds.
idioms
verb
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to be of use, advantage, profit, or assistance (to)
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to make use of to one's advantage
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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availsimple
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availssimple
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have availedperfect
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has availedperfect
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am availingprogressive
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are availingprogressive
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is availingprogressive
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have been availingperfect progressive
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has been availingperfect progressive
Past
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availedsimple
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had availedperfect
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was availingprogressive
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were availingprogressive
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had been availingperfect progressive
Future
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”
Explanation
To avail means to take advantage of an opportunity, the way you'd be crazy not to avail yourself of a chocolate milkshake on Free Milkshake Day at your local ice cream parlor. Sometimes avail is used to mean "help," and in that case it can be used in a sentence like "Nothing seemed to avail me, not even winning the lottery." More often though, avail shows up in the company of "oneself of," as in the sentence, "I hope you avail yourself of my advice, because I'm very wise." It might seem like a complicated way to use a verb, but it's one you should avail yourself of if you're hoping to impress someone.
Vocabulary lists containing avail
Grade 12, List 1
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"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass
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"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards
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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.
See Examples For:
I wanted something small like a bran muffin and quickly scanned the menu for “I Am Regular” to no avail.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
But there’s a lot to be said about emotional security, a lower tax bill, shared expenses and healthcare insurance, among other advantages that married couples avail of.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
The businessman filmed people making off with over six containers of lighting equipment the morning after the tremors, appealing for help on social media but to no avail.
From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026
Many Western hedge funds also avail themselves of cheap yen loans to buy promising assets such as red-hot U.S. tech stocks, a practice dubbed the carry trade.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
But even if I found the power to withdraw myself, it would be disastrous for him to see me, yet — until the hour comes when secrecy will avail no longer.’
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
Bryan Cranston’s movie career avails him of some variety, but on Showtime’s “Your Honor” he plays another version of a good man pushed to commit evil for the sake of protecting his family.
From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2024
Shaun Grant’s script rarely, if ever, avails itself of such riches; instead, the narration and dialogue teem with outlaw-movie clichés.
From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2020
Molly avails herself of all modern babyproofing technology in an uphill effort to keep Max alive and un-maimed.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 21, 2018
Meanwhile, he avails himself of the pastry-sample plate.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 21, 2018
Cowardice avails a bull as little as courage.
From Spanish Highways and Byways by Bates, Katharine Lee
As a bonus, I’d learn a few things while she availed herself of uninterrupted free time, which wasn’t really free, since I’d often hear a running vacuum or dishes clanking in the sink.
From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2026
A £500 payment was then offered to help those affected take extra security and reassurance measures - which about 90% of workers availed of.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2025
In doing so, Adams also availed himself of millions of dollars in public matching funds.
From Slate ● Jan. 25, 2025
Yet they hardly availed themselves of the city’s busy night life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2024
Already on many evenings when it was open he had not availed himself of it, but, without the family noticing, was stretched out in the darkest corner of his room.
From "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka
For now, companies are availing themselves of the latest spike in crude prices to lock in a price for their output, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
I’m availing myself of the bar that’s already open.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2024
"This time frame represents a broad enough range to demonstrate climate change, while also availing of the most recent reliable data that covers both the climate change and extremism dimensions for the country."
From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2024
For 20 years, Thomas benefited from Huizenga's attention as well, availing himself of the billionaire's fleet of aircraft and other luxuries.
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2023
For this reason they transferred the seat of the monarchy there, availing themselves of the proximity of the land and the fame of the city.
From The History of Antiquity Vol. VI. (vol. VI. of VI.) by Duncker, Max
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.
