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?
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Archaic.
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efficacious, advantageous, or profitable.
-
legally valid.
-
adjective
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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.
McKay pointed to a bright side for the overall economy, however, which may push I bonds out of favor in the future for those just seeking the highest yield available at the moment.
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
A hard copy is available for $50, but don’t bother—its “reference scenario” is already stale.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
A 50% discount is available to businesses who have a turnover of under £25,000 and use seven or fewer of the city's parks, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
The contraction in the number of available positions for younger workers may also be slowing, though the U.S. is still far from robust hiring conditions.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
“So Pinewood holds a special meaning for creaky old birdwatchers like me. As a goodwill gesture, MI6 makes a senior agent available to offer technical expertise on any films that feature the Secret Intelligence Service.”
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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.
