Etymology

Verb

1. To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to.

   Artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment.

   I availed myself of the opportunity.

2. To promote; to assist.
3. To be of use or advantage; to answer or serve the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object.

   The plea in court must avail.

   This scheme will not avail.

   Medicines will not avail to halt the disease.

4. To provide.
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     Noun

     
     
     
     1. Benefit; value, profit; advantage toward success.
        • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book I:

          For I wold haue the swerd more for your auaylle than for myne, for I am passyng heuy for your sake.

        • 1. Effect in achieving a goal or aim; purpose, use (now usually in negative constructions).

             I tried fixing it, to no avail.

             Labor, without economy, is of little avail.

          2. Proceeds; profits from business transactions.

             The avails of this auction will go to the Cancer Society.

          3. Effort; striving.
             • 1. An unsold, available advertising slot or package.
                  • 1. A timeslot set aside for an advertisement.
                       • 1. A press avail.

                            While holding an avail yesterday, the candidate lashed out at critics.

                         2. Non-binding notice of availability for work.
                         3. A readily available stock of oil.
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                              Usage notes

                              Very often encountered in negative phrases, such as of or to no or little avail.