availed; availing; avails
: to produce or result in as a benefit or advantage : gain
His efforts availed him nothing.
see also:
Examples of avail in a Sentence
Verb
In such a Hobbesian world, grand idealistic designs will avail the United States nothing. Nor will a quest for American dominance in the name of the good.
—
Laura Secor, New York Times Book Review, 26 June 2005
Soon middle-class girls were slipping into their starched white shirtwaists, marching into a place of business … and eventually standing up as private secretaries, bank tellers, accountants, and managers. So many, in fact, availed themselves of this new opportunity that by 1900 nearly 75 percent of all clerical workers in America were women (Bliven puts the number, in 1888, at 60,000); and for decades the typist and her machine were both called "typewriters."
—Arthur Krystal, Harper's, December 2002
One comes away from the book stunned by the remarkable energy and willingness to resist that so many demonstrated but haunted by the recognition of how little that resistance availed.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2002
Our best efforts did not avail.
all your begging will not avail you in the least
Noun
It seemed to be the national dish, as it appeared on every menu. It is a spicy pork or veal stew with tomatoes and onions and a little sour cream on top. It was fabulous, and I'm dying to get the recipe. I've spent hours looking for it on the internet to no avail.
—Linda Walker, Cook's Country, June 1995
In the 14th century the porcelain from China made its way westward along trade routes to Europe's rich and royal. The artisans of Europe tried to duplicate the Chinese formula and process, but to no avail.
—Hattie Clark, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 1987
although I appreciate the concern, your help would be of little avail in this situation
Laura Secor, New York Times Book Review, 26 June 2005
Soon middle-class girls were slipping into their starched white shirtwaists, marching into a place of business … and eventually standing up as private secretaries, bank tellers, accountants, and managers. So many, in fact, availed themselves of this new opportunity that by 1900 nearly 75 percent of all clerical workers in America were women (Bliven puts the number, in 1888, at 60,000); and for decades the typist and her machine were both called "typewriters."
—Arthur Krystal, Harper's, December 2002
One comes away from the book stunned by the remarkable energy and willingness to resist that so many demonstrated but haunted by the recognition of how little that resistance availed.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2002
Our best efforts did not avail.
all your begging will not avail you in the least
Noun
It seemed to be the national dish, as it appeared on every menu. It is a spicy pork or veal stew with tomatoes and onions and a little sour cream on top. It was fabulous, and I'm dying to get the recipe. I've spent hours looking for it on the internet to no avail.
—Linda Walker, Cook's Country, June 1995
In the 14th century the porcelain from China made its way westward along trade routes to Europe's rich and royal. The artisans of Europe tried to duplicate the Chinese formula and process, but to no avail.
—Hattie Clark, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 1987
although I appreciate the concern, your help would be of little avail in this situation
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
In the spa, guests can choose from an array of massage or beauty services or avail themselves of the fitness center with cardio equipment, punching bags, and free weights.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Botin and the Spanish started taking risks, breaking out to the far side of the course in a bid to get a winning split on the Australians, but to no avail.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for avail
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
In these short vignettes and bursts typed largely on the computer, the arcs availed themselves.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
In the spa, guests can choose from an array of massage or beauty services or avail themselves of the fitness center with cardio equipment, punching bags, and free weights.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Noun
Toward the end of the debate, Cervera made a motion to save over 100 job positions from elimination, but to no avail.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Botin and the Spanish started taking risks, breaking out to the far side of the course in a bid to get a winning split on the Australians, but to no avail.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for avail
Cite this Entry
“Avail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avail. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
avail
1 of 2 verb
: to be of use or help
avail
2 of 2 noun
: help toward reaching a goal
effort of no avail
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
