Definition of "avail" in English

verb

1. (transitive, often reflexive) To turn to the advantage of. [(chiefly) with of]

   • I availed myself of the opportunity.

2. (transitive) To be of service to.

   • Artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment.

3. (transitive) To promote; to assist.

4. (intransitive) To be of use or advantage; to answer or serve the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object.

   • The plea in court must avail.
   • This scheme will not avail.
   • Medicines will not avail to halt the disease.

5. (India, Africa, elsewhere proscribed) To provide; to make available.

6. (India, Africa, elsewhere proscribed) To use or take advantage of (an opportunity or resource).

   • You can avail discounts on food.

noun

1. Effect in achieving a goal or aim; purpose, use (now usually in negative constructions).

   • I tried fixing it to no avail.
   • Labor, without economy, is of little avail.

2. (now only US) Proceeds; profits from business transactions.

3. (television, advertising) An advertising slot or package.

4. (US, politics, journalism) A press avail.

   • While holding an avail yesterday, the candidate lashed out at critics.

5. (British, acting) Non-binding notice of availability for work.

6. (oil industry) A readily available stock of oil.

7. (obsolete) Benefit; value, profit; advantage toward success.

8. (obsolete, poetic) Effort; striving.

adjective

1. (colloquial) Clipping of available.