unavailable

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

Synonyms of unavailable

• inaccessible

Examples of unavailable in a Sentence

the commander is unavailable right now

Recent Examples on the Web

With the center unavailable on Pavel Mintyukov’s first-period slashing penalty against Vegas star Mitch Marner, rookie Tim Washe played with both Killorn and Granlund. —Eric Stephens, New York Times, 13 May 2026

Still, the agreement had left the door open for the Gossip Girl alum to seek damages and legal fees—though that option appears to be unavailable for the time being. —Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 13 May 2026

Prosecutors wanted to try Springsteen and Scott again, but a judge ordered the charges dismissed in 2009 when new DNA tests that were unavailable in 1991 and the previous trials revealed another male suspect. —CBS News, 13 May 2026

Rodriguez has worked higher-leverage innings when one or more of the four back-end relievers has been unavailable. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unavailable

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