verb
avail
uh-VAYL
verb
1
To make use of an opportunity or resource, usually for one's own benefit.
"Guests can avail themselves of the free breakfast every morning."
"She availed herself of every training course the company offered."
noun
1
Use or benefit, especially in the phrase "to no avail," meaning without success.
"They searched for hours, but to no avail."
How to Use Avail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make use of something useful, or (as a noun) the benefit gained from trying.
Common mistake
Mostly seen today in fixed phrases like "avail yourself of" and "to no avail" rather than as a everyday standalone verb.
Common pairings
avail yourself of
to no avail
avail of an opportunity
Word Forms
availed past tense, avails plural, avails singular
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Guests can _____ themselves of the free breakfast every morning.
Etymology
From Old French a- ("to") plus vail, from valoir, "to be worth," from Latin valere, "to be strong."