avail

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English availen (“to be of use”), from Old French a (“to”) + vail from valoir (“to be worth”), from Latin valere (“to be worthy, strong”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /əˈveɪl/ Rhymes: -eɪl === Verb === avail (third-person singular simple present avails, present participle availing, simple past and past participle availed) (transitive, often reflexive) To turn to the advantage of. [(chiefly) with of] (transitive) To be of service to. (transitive) To promote; to assist. (intransitive) To be of use or advantage; to answer or serve the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object. (India, Africa, elsewhere proscribed) To provide; to make available. (India, Africa, elsewhere proscribed) To use or take advantage of (an opportunity or resource). ==== Antonyms ==== disavail ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === avail (countable and uncountable, plural avails) Effect in achieving a goal or aim; purpose, use (now usually in negative constructions). [from 15th c.] (now only US) Proceeds; profits from business transactions. [from 15th c.] (television, advertising) An advertising slot or package. (US, politics, journalism) A press avail. (British, acting) Non-binding notice of availability for work. (oil industry) A readily available stock of oil. (obsolete) Benefit; value, profit; advantage toward success. [15th–19th c.] (obsolete, poetic) Effort; striving. ==== Usage notes ==== (success or benefit): Very often encountered in negative phrases, such as of or to no or little avail. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === avail (comparative more avail, superlative most avail) (colloquial) Clipping of available. === Anagrams === Ávila, Alavi, Alvia, Avila, Ilava