unavailable

UK: ˌʌnəˈveɪləbl | US: ˌʌnəˈveɪləbl

Definition

  1. adj. not able to be used, accessed, or obtained

  2. adj. (of a person) not free to meet or speak with others

Structure
un <not>avail <use/benefit>able <capable of>
Etymology

The word "unavailable" combines three morphemes:

  1. "un-" (Old English "un-"), a prefix meaning "not," negates the following root.
  2. "avail" (from Old French "a(v)ail," meaning "use" or "benefit," derived from Latin "ad-" + "valere," meaning "to be strong or of worth").
  3. "-able" (from Latin "-abilis"), a suffix indicating capability.
    Originally, "avail" referred to usefulness or advantage, and adding "un-" and "-able" created a term meaning "not capable of being used or accessed." Over time, it expanded to describe people who are not free to interact.
Examples

  1. The document is currently unavailable due to server maintenance.

  2. She was unavailable for comment after the meeting.

  3. Tickets for the concert are now unavailable.

  4. The manager is unavailable until next Monday.

  5. Fresh strawberries are unavailable in winter.