available

[uh-vey-luh-buhl]

adjective

1. suitable or ready for use; of use or service; at hand.

   I used whatever tools were available.

   Synonyms: handy, usable, accessible

2. readily obtainable; accessible.

   available resources.

3. (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.

4. 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?

5. Archaic.

   1. efficacious, advantageous, or profitable.

   2. legally valid.

available

/ əˈveɪləbəl /

adjective

1. obtainable or accessible; capable of being made use of; at hand

2. derogatory,  politics suitable for public office, usually as a result of having an inoffensive character

   Smith was a particularly available candidate

Other Word Forms

• availability noun
• availableness noun
• availably adverb
• interavailable adjective
• unavailable adjective
• unavailableness noun
• unavailably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of available¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; avail, -able

Example Sentences

GPS is still very precise, when it’s available.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Gen. Pam Bondi, whom the legislation compels to make available “all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials” in the Department of Justice’s possession no later than 30 days after the legislation becoming law.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Officials were not immediately available to disclose whether the student was intoxicated before he drowned.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Since neither option was a possibility, “for the time being, no dramatic initiatives are available to reverse this state of affairs.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But at least some of the October employment data will be available, though not in time to provide insights to Federal Reserve officials ahead of their upcoming December policy meeting.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• accessible 
• applicable 
• convenient 
• feasible 
• free 
• handy 
• possible 
• usable 
• vacant