avail

[uh-veyl]

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.

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.

avail

/ əˈveɪl /

verb

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

2. to make use of to one's advantage

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• availingly adverb
• unavailed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of avail¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of avail¹

C13 availen, from vailen, from Old French valoir, from Latin valēre to be strong, prevail

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

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

More idioms and phrases containing avail

• to no avail

Example Sentences

Attempting a nap, Larette lies on the break room cot, eyes closed, to no avail.

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"We've made various requests to NSW authorities for a fresh prosecution or a fresh inquest but to no avail," the family said in the letter.

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His failed attempts to placate young protesters - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him sack his entire government and make other concessions to no avail.

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She immediately called her and "pleaded with her not to do anything", but to no avail, the court heard.

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“The Perfect Neighbor” feels like a daring approach in an age when context is in short supply and documentary filmmakers can avail themselves of narration and original interviews to tell the full story.

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