unavailable
uh-nuh-VAY-luh-buhl
Unavailable (adj) means not able to be obtained, used, or reached at a given time. Example: “The doctor was unavailable until Monday.”
adj
1
Not able to be obtained, used, or reached at a given time.
"The doctor was unavailable until Monday."
"That size is currently unavailable online."
"Sorry, the manager is unavailable at the moment because she is in a meeting."
How to use unavailable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot free, not obtainable, or not able to be reached right now.
Common pairings
temporarily unavailable
currently unavailable
unavailable for comment
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like unavailable.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- unavailables
- Comparative
- more unavailable
- Superlative
- most unavailable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor was _____ until Monday.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unavailable
See all rhymes for unavailable →Frequently asked questions
What does “unavailable” mean?
The word “unavailable” means not able to be obtained, used, or reached at a given time. In plain terms, not free, not obtainable, or not able to be reached right now.
How do you pronounce “unavailable”?
“Unavailable” is pronounced uh-nuh-VAY-luh-buhl (/ˌʌnəˈveɪləbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unavailable” in a sentence?
Here is “unavailable” used in a sentence: “The doctor was unavailable until Monday.”
What part of speech is “unavailable”?
“Unavailable” is an adjective.
Is “unavailable” a common word?
“Unavailable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between unavailable and unattainable?
Unavailable means not able to be obtained, used, or reached at a given time, suggesting the situation could change, while unattainable suggests something is fundamentally impossible to reach or achieve. A person can be temporarily unavailable but a goal described as unattainable implies a more permanent impossibility.
What is a polite way to say someone is unavailable?
Saying someone is unavailable at the moment or currently unavailable is a common, neutral way to indicate they cannot be reached or reached right now without giving further detail. It works well in professional messages like out-of-office replies.
What is the difference between unavailable and busy?
Unavailable more broadly means not able to be obtained, used, or reached, which can include being out of stock, off duty, or simply absent. Busy specifically implies someone is occupied with another task, which is only one possible reason for being unavailable.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include unavailable:
