Library / English Dictionary

AVAIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A means of serving

Example:

there's no help for it

Synonyms:

avail; help; service

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("avail" is a kind of...):

helpfulness (the property of providing useful assistance)

Derivation:

avail (be of use to, be useful to)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Use to one's advantage

Example:

He availed himself of the available resources

Classified under:

Verbs of eating and drinking

Hypernyms (to "avail" is one way to...):

apply; employ; use; utilise; utilize (put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Take or use

Example:

She helped herself to some of the office supplies

Synonyms:

avail; help

Classified under:

Verbs of eating and drinking

Hypernyms (to "avail" is one way to...):

exploit; work (use or manipulate to one's advantage)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

available (obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be of use to, be useful to

Example:

It will avail them to dispose of their booty

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "avail" is one way to...):

aid; assist; help (give help or assistance; be of service)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

avail (a means of serving)

Credits

 Context examples: 

She found him sleeping heavily, and all her efforts to awaken him were of no avail.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

But what availed his expressions or his air?

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

But our aid was of little avail and only involved us in the same peril.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At her age she can have no experience, and with her little wit, is not very likely ever to have any that can avail her.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

All that Mrs. Ferrars could say to make him put an end to the engagement, assisted too as you may well suppose by my arguments, and Fanny's entreaties, was of no avail.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Scientific activities include studies from a number of study and research institutions across the country, which avail themselves of the ship as well as equipment installed in Antarctica.

(Brazil ship off to Antarctica for research support, Agência Brasil)

They availed themselves of the rare privilege to the fullest extent, for some tried the pleasing experiment of drinking milk while standing on their heads, others lent a charm to leapfrog by eating pie in the pauses of the game, cookies were sown broadcast over the field, and apple turnovers roosted in the trees like a new style of bird.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be for half-an-hour by themselves; and Elizabeth instantly availed herself of the opportunity of making any inquiries, which Jane was equally eager to satisfy.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

You’ve not had Jupiter in the twelfth house in more than a decade, so even if you tried going to a therapist or rehab center before to no avail, there are new discoveries that may help you.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

"It may be a candle in a house," I then conjectured; "but if so, I can never reach it. It is much too far away: and were it within a yard of me, what would it avail? I should but knock at the door to have it shut in my face."

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)