verb / noun

avail

uh-VAYL/ʌvˈeɪl/

Practical help or usefulness.

The woman avails herself of a reacher to retrieve the dropped keys.

A long-handled reacher proves useful to an older woman by gripping a dropped key ring on the floor while she remains seated comfortably in a chair.

Etymology

Apparently formed from “to” and “be worth,” avail connects usefulness with having value or efficacy: something that avails people has practical worth in helping them.

In context

Storytime Haven544:52

I am still no nearer to my desire, nor will it avail me in getting back my bowmen. It may cost a score of men, and what profit shall I have from it?

Sir Nigel ⚔️🌟 | A Tale of Chivalry and Adventure | Arthur Conan Doyle

More examples

We searched the house for the missing key to no avail.
His careful preparations availed him little when the road closed.
They are availing themselves of every opportunity to practice.

Forms

avail · avails · availed · availing

Similar words

benefit: Names an advantage or improvement rather than usefulness in a particular effort.
use: Is the ordinary alternative in the phrase make use of.