avail
verb (transitive)
UK/əˈveɪl/US/əˈveɪl/
To help or benefit someone or something; to be of use or advantage.
Example Sentences
Studying consistently will avail you when exam time comes.
She hoped that calling customer service would avail her situation, but the problem remained unresolved.
The extra training sessions should avail the entire team by improving their skills.
If you do not ask for help, the resources available will not avail you in any way.
He tried various ways to fix the issue, but nothing seemed to avail until he consulted a professional.
We must take advantage of every opportunity that can avail us in achieving our goals and aspirations.
Although the manager offered solutions, they did not avail against the deep-rooted challenges the company faced, highlighting a need for broader strategic changes.
Parents often provide guidance they hope will avail their children long into adulthood, instilling values and habits that pave the way for future success.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
noun (uncountable)
UK/əˈveɪl/US/əˈveɪl/
Use or advantage, often used in the phrase 'to no avail' meaning 'without success or benefit.'
Example Sentences
They searched for hours to find the lost dog, but to no avail.
He appealed for financial backing, yet his pleas were of little avail.
All her effort and planning were of no avail when the event was suddenly canceled.
He spent all night revising his proposal to ensure it would be of maximum avail to the company.
No matter how often she tried to explain the situation, her words seemed to be of no avail to those in charge of the final decision.
In moments of crisis, focusing on practical solutions can bring greater avail than dwelling on regrets or fears.
Despite seeking expert advice, the problem continued unaddressed, and all efforts so far had proven to be of scant avail.
An idea may be of tremendous avail in driving positive change if it is communicated effectively and gains broad support.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To serve as a benefit, advantage, or aid; often used when something yields no benefit or effect.“Avail” can act both as a noun and a verb, typically meaning help or benefit in a particular context. As a verb, you might say “It will avail you nothing,” implying that an action or resource brings no success or advantage. Conversely, “If it avails you, go ahead,” suggests it might help or serve your purpose. In more archaic or literary usage, “avail” underscores effectiveness—like “All his efforts to change her mind did not avail,” meaning they yielded no result.
In day-to-day language, it often appears in phrases such as “to no avail,” signifying that attempts or efforts were fruitless. Occasionally, “avail oneself of” something means to use or take advantage of it, for instance, “You should avail yourself of the free workshop.” Whether referencing the success (or failure) of actions, “avail” signals whether they prove helpful, effective, or beneficial in the intended pursuit.
Alternatives
Similar words include “benefit,” “help,” “aid,” or “use.” When saying “it was to no avail,” you could use “it didn’t help” or “it was useless” for a more direct tone. Phrases like “avail oneself of” can be substituted with “make use of” or “take advantage of.” However, “avail” maintains a somewhat formal or literary flavor, often conveying a sense of outcome—did an effort succeed or not?
Writing
In formal or literary texts, “avail” might appear in passages describing attempts and results: “He tried persuading her, but to no avail.” If referencing resources, “Readers may avail themselves of the library’s extensive archives,” underscores that the resource stands open for people to utilize. Combining “avail” with context clarifies whether it’s used as a noun—“to no avail”—or as a verb—“this approach might avail.” The nuance is one of assessing effectiveness or calling attention to an opportunity for help or advantage.
Casual Conversation
Modern casual talk rarely employs “avail” beyond set expressions like “to no avail” or “avail oneself of.” Friends might say “I tried calling him all day, to no avail,” meaning they weren’t successful. Or if they encounter a solution that didn’t work out: “I rebooted the router a dozen times, but to no avail.” Although somewhat formal, the phrase is widely understood. You’re less likely to hear phrases like “I availed myself of the gym facilities,” unless someone is being deliberately formal or playful about their language. Typically, simpler language like “It didn’t help,” or “I used the gym’s facilities” might replace “avail” in day-to-day chats. Still, it remains recognized as an elegant or concise way to convey benefit, usage, or futility of efforts.
Etymology
“Avail” derives from Old French “valoir,” meaning “be worth,” tracing further back to Latin “valēre,” “to be strong or effective.” The term came into Middle English embodying the sense of “profit, advantage, or assistance.” Over centuries, its usage focused on whether actions, resources, or opportunities ultimately help achieve a goal—leading to idioms like “to little/no avail” to indicate ineffectiveness. This historical emphasis on ‘strength’ or ‘worth’ underlies modern usage, pointing to whether efforts are sufficiently potent or beneficial to meet objectives.
