avail
gb/əvˈeɪl/ us/əvˈeɪl/
B2
English
~ 4700
használ, hasznára válik, segít, él valamivel, igénybe vesz, haszon, hiába
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
to avail [someone/something]
The extra training did not avail the team in the final match.
A plusz edzés nem volt a csapat hasznára a döntő mérkőzésen.
No amount of pleading could avail him.
Semennyi könyörgés nem segíthetett rajta.
The new evidence may avail the defendant in court.
Learner examples
The medicine did not avail her.
A gyógyszer nem használt neki.
His words did not avail the group.
A szavai nem segítettek a csoportnak.
The new plan may avail us.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'avail' with 'available'; 'avail' is a verb meaning 'to help', while 'available' is an adjective meaning 'ready to be used'.
Meaning
Be of use or help
Collocations
avail oneself
|avail much
|avail little
|avail greatly
Synonyms
benefit (Implies giving a positive effect or advantage, often broader in scope.)
|
help (More general and common term for providing assistance.)
Antonyms
harm (Causes damage instead of providing help or advantage.)
Themes
assistance
|effectiveness
|results
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be helpful or give an advantage to someone or something.
To provide benefit, help, or an advantage to someone or something.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
él valamivel
B1
igénybe vesz
B1
Usage pattern:
to avail oneself of [something]
She availed herself of the free training program.
Élt az ingyenes képzési program lehetőségével.
Visitors are encouraged to avail themselves of the library's resources.
A látogatókat arra biztatják, hogy vegyék igénybe a könyvtár nyújtotta forrásokat.
He availed himself of every chance to improve his skills.
Learner examples
I will avail myself of this chance.
Élni fogok ezzel a lehetőséggel.
She availed herself of the free class.
Élt az ingyenes óra lehetőségével.
He availed himself of the help.
Common mistake:
Learners often omit 'oneself' when using this reflexive form, which is required in standard usage.
Meaning
Make use of something
Collocations
avail oneself of the chance
|avail oneself of the opportunity
|avail oneself of resources
Synonyms
utilize (Slightly more technical; emphasizes putting something to use effectively.)
|
take advantage of (More common and can have neutral or negative connotations.)
Antonyms
miss out on (Fail to take advantage of an opportunity.)
Themes
opportunity
|self-improvement
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To use an opportunity or thing to get a benefit.
To make practical use of an opportunity, resource, or offer for one's own benefit.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
3
They searched for hours, but to no avail.
Órákig kerestek, de hiába.
Her efforts were of little avail.
Erőfeszítéseinek kevés haszna volt.
The manual was of great avail during the repair.
Learner examples
They looked for him to no avail.
Hiába keresték.
The book was of great avail.
A könyv nagyon hasznos volt.
Her words were of little avail.
Common mistake:
Learners may not recognize that 'avail' as a noun is mostly used in fixed expressions like 'to no avail'.
Meaning
Usefulness or benefit
Collocations
to no avail
|of little avail
|be of great avail
Synonyms
benefit (A positive effect or gain from something.)
|
usefulness (Focuses more on the practical ability to be used effectively.)
Antonyms
uselessness (The state of having no ability to help or benefit.)
Themes
assistance
|effectiveness
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Help or benefit from something.
The quality of being useful, helpful, or beneficial in achieving something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
avail
IPA
GB/əvˈeɪl/
US/əvˈeɪl/
Syllables & stress
avail (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: avail
- Plural: avail
Verb
- Base: avail
- 3rd Person Singular: avails
- Present Participle: availing
- Past: availed
Word family
Forms
avails
verb
availing
verb
availed
verb
Core family
available
adjective A2
availability
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unavailable
adjective B1
unavailability
noun
Expressions
avail oneself of
1/əvˈeɪl wˌʌnsˈɛlf əv/
fixed phrase
formal
Make use of something
To use an opportunity, offer, or resource for your own benefit.
Examples
- You should avail yourself of all the support available.
- He availed himself of the company's travel discount.
to no avail
1/tə nˈoʊ əvˈeɪl/
idiom
Without success or result
Used to say that something was done but did not work or help.
Examples
- They tried to start the engine, but to no avail.
- I called him several times, to no avail.