availability

availability — noun

1. the situation where you can get, buy, or use something, or the amount of it that

1.nounB2
Definition

the situation where you can get, buy, or use something, or the amount of it that exists for people to use.

Example

The availability of fresh fish in Hualien depends on the morning catch at the harbour.

the availability of + noun phrase

Tickets for the Mayday concert are limited and offered subject to availability.

fixed phrase: subject to availability

Common collocations
  • limited availability
  • wide availability
  • subject to availability
  • check availability
Synonyms
  • supply

    focuses on the quantity that exists, often in trade or economics.

  • accessibility

    stresses the ease of reaching or using something, not just its existence.

  • obtainability

    formal and rare; usually replaced by 'availability' in everyday writing.

Antonyms
  • shortage

    describes a lack of something normally available.

  • scarcity

    stronger than shortage; suggests something is hard to find anywhere.

Grammar Patterns

the availability of [something]

subject to availability

Usage Note

Almost always uncountable and followed by 'of' + the thing being supplied. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about goods, services, or resources, not about a person's free time.

Common Mistakes

The availabilities of rooms are listed on the website.
The availability of rooms is listed on the website.
uncountable, so no plural and singular verb.

2. the times when a person is not busy and can meet, talk, or take on work.

2.nounB2
Definition

the times when a person is not busy and can meet, talk, or take on work.

Example

Please email Daniel your availability for the team meeting next Wednesday morning.

someone's availability for + event

Dr. Anaya has limited availability this month because of a research trip to Kyoto.

limited / full availability

Common collocations
  • check someone's availability
  • confirm availability
  • limited availability
Synonyms
  • free time

    informal; refers to leisure as well as time open in a schedule.

  • openings

    countable; specific time slots in a calendar rather than the general state of being free.

Antonyms
  • unavailability

    the formal opposite, often used in business and scheduling contexts.

Grammar Patterns

someone's availability

availability for [event/work]

Usage Note

Subject is usually a person, often shown by a possessive (her availability, your availability). Unlike sense 1, this is about somebody's free time rather than goods or resources.

Common Mistakes

Tell me your availabilities for next week.
Tell me your availability for next week.
uncountable in this sense too; do not pluralise.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These four nouns all describe how easy it is to get hold of something, but they look at the question from different angles. 'Availability' is the most general and is common in everyday writing about goods, services, and resources. 'Supply' tends to focus on the actual quantity produced or stocked, especially in trade and economics, e.g. the supply of rice. 'Accessibility' shifts the focus from whether something exists to how easy it is to reach or use, often involving distance, cost, or special needs, e.g. wheelchair accessibility. 'Scarcity' is the negative side of the picture and means there is not enough of something for everyone who wants it, e.g. water scarcity in dry regions.

availability ↗supply ↗accessibility ↗scarcity

Common collocations

Nouns

  • availability of resources
  • availability of services
  • availability of staff
  • availability of data

Adverbs

Phrases

  • subject to availability
  • check the availability
  • limited availability

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English in the early 19th century from the adjective 'available' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ity', meaning 'the state or quality of'. 'Available' itself comes from Old French 'avail' (to be of use, profit), which goes back to Latin 'valere' meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be worth'. The modern sense about a person's free time grew out of office and scheduling language in the 20th century.