avails
|ə-veɪlz|
/əˈveɪlz/
(avail)
useful benefit
Etymology
'avail' originates from Old French and Anglo-Norman, specifically from Old French 'avalir' / 'availer' (related to 'valoir'), where the root 'val-' meant 'to be strong, be worth.'
'avail' changed from Old French/Anglo-Norman words such as 'availer' and Middle English 'availlen'/'availen' and eventually became the modern English word 'avail'.
Initially, it meant 'to be strong or have value' and 'worth,' and over time it evolved into the current meanings of 'to be of use' and 'to make use of/benefit.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
use, benefit, or help (often used in plural: 'avails').
His arguments did him little avails in changing their minds.
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Verb 1
to be of use, help, or advantage (intransitive).
That rarely avails him when he refuses to listen.
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Verb 2
to make use of (usually reflexive: 'avail oneself of'), meaning to take advantage of an opportunity or resource.
She avails herself of every chance to improve her skills.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/11/30 14:42