Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Ready for use or service; obtainable: Something that is "available" can be used, accessed, or obtained because it is present and ready.
   • Free to meet or talk; not otherwise occupied: A person who is "available" is not busy and can therefore be contacted or can do something.
   • Valid and able to be used: A ticket, offer, or option that is "available" is currently in effect and can be utilized.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The manager is available to answer your questions now. (The manager is free and can talk to you.)
  • Is this dress available in a larger size? (Can this dress be obtained in a larger size?)
  • The conference room is available for meetings all afternoon. (The conference room is free and ready to be used for meetings.)
  • Tickets are available online. (Tickets can be obtained or purchased online.)

Advanced Usage

• "Made available": Provided or supplied for use.
  • The data was made available to researchers. (The data was provided for researchers to use.)
• "Readily available": Easily and quickly obtainable.
  • Fresh fruit is readily available in the summer. (Fresh fruit is easy to find and get in the summer.)
• "Become available": To become free or obtainable.
  • A new apartment became available last week. (A new apartment was offered for rent or sale last week.)

Variants and Related Words

• Availability (noun): The state of being able to be used or obtained.
  • The availability of clean water is crucial. (The fact that clean water can be obtained is crucial.)
• Unavailable (adjective): Not able to be used, met, or obtained.
  • The director is unavailable for comment. (The director cannot be contacted for a comment.)

Synonyms

• Accessible: Able to be reached or used.
• Obtainable: Able to be gotten or acquired.
• Free: Not occupied or in use.

Related Phrases

• Available upon request: Can be provided if someone asks for it.
  • Further details are available upon request. (More information can be given if you ask for it.)
• Commercially available: Able to be bought by the public.
  • The drug is now commercially available. (The drug can now be purchased in stores.)

Idioms

• Available light: The existing natural or artificial light in a place, used especially in photography.
  • The photographer preferred to shoot using only available light. (The photographer liked to use only the light that was already there, without adding flashes.)

Adjective

1. convenient for use or disposal
   • the house is available after July 1
   • 2000 square feet of usable office space
2. not busy; not otherwise committed
   • he was not available for comment
   • he was available and willing to accompany her
3. obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service
   • kept a fire extinguisher available
   • much information is available through computers
   • available in many colors
   • the list of available candidates is unusually long