Avail Survives Almost Only in the Negative
To avail is to be of use. The verb has nearly vanished except in to no avail and avail yourself of, and both are worth knowing.
To avail is to be of use or help. The verb has retreated into two fixed corners of English: *to no avail*, meaning without success, and *avail yourself of*, meaning to make use of something offered. Almost nobody writes *his efforts availed him* any more. The root is Latin *valere*, to be strong or worth, which also gives *value*, *valid* and *prevail*.
- To be of use. *Nothing availed.*
- To no avail — without success. *We searched, to no avail.*
- Avail oneself of — to make use of. *Avail yourself of the offer.*
- Available — obtainable. *Available on request.*
- Prevail — to win through, from the same root. *Common sense prevailed.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | avail | It availed nothing. |
| Noun | avail | To no avail. |
| Adjective | available | Widely available. |
| Abstract | availability | Limited availability. |
| Related | valid | A valid ticket. |
- They protested, to no avail.The commonest use.
- Do avail yourself of the library.Formal invitation.
- Rooms are available from Monday.The healthy relative.
The valere family
- Value — what something is worth
- Valid — strong enough to hold
- Prevail — to be stronger
- Convalesce — to grow strong again
- Valour — strength of spirit
Middle English *availen*, apparently from *a-* plus Old French *valoir*, from Latin *valere*, to be strong or of worth.
What does to no avail mean?
Without any useful result. The efforts were made but nothing came of them.
Is avail yourself of correct?
Yes, and it needs the reflexive: avail yourself of, not avail of, in careful English.