unavailable

1 of 2

adjective

un·​avail·​able ˌən-ə-ˈvā-lə-bəl 

: not available: such as

a

: not possible to get or use

a book that is currently unavailable online

The conference room is unavailable this afternoon.

b

: unable or unwilling to do something

—often followed by for or by to + a verb

Officials were unavailable for comment.

The manager is unavailable to speak with you right now.

unavailability

ˌən-ə-ˌvā-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unavailability

2 of 2

noun

un·​availability ¦ən+ 

: lack of availability

the unavailability of medical supplies endangered the wounded

Synonyms of unavailable

Adjective

• inaccessible

Examples of unavailable in a Sentence

Adjective

the commander is unavailable right now

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Cases can be delayed Chief Deputy District Attorney Wendell Emerson said courthouse ICE arrests can delay criminal cases when defendants become unavailable but said prosecutors have tools to continue pursuing cases. — Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Although public data is unavailable, according to the Carnegie Endowment military analyst Michael Kofman, the number of Russian soldiers killed each month has almost certainly risen dramatically over the last 18 months. — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026

Business owners frequently possess tax planning opportunities unavailable to W-2 employees. — D. Scott Kenik, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

When basic healthcare is unavailable, insecurity interrupts humanitarian assistance, or essential prevention infrastructure. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unavailable

• available
• unsalable
• bailable
• mailable
• salable
• saleable
• scalable
• bioavailable
• unassailable