avail

Avail is a verb meaning to be of use or benefit. In phrases like "to avail oneself of," it means to make use of a resource or opportunity. In modern English, the common expression is "to no avail," meaning that efforts have been unsuccessful or wasted.

When used transitively, the verb often pairs with objects such as "an opportunity" or "a resource." Examples include "She availed herself of the chance to speak" or "The plan availed him little." The form "it avails" appears mostly in older or formal prose, as in "It avails us nothing."

As a noun, avail is rare in contemporary usage but can mean usefulness, benefit, or advantage, especially in archaic or literary contexts.

In modern contexts, Avail is also used as a brand or company name. The best-known example is Avail, a property-management software platform that provides online rental applications, tenant screening, and rent collection. The name is used by other businesses as well, distinct from the general sense of the word.