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

That’s an important distinction in the rarified world of high-end timepieces, which are sometimes unavailable or on long backorder, in part because of considerable and sustained demand, according to Reuters. —Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

For the loss against Manchester City in the Champions League last week, Alonso had eight first-team players unavailable. —Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025

The designer was hosting an event Wednesday and was unavailable to comment. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025

The Bilt Mastercard is currently unavailable to new applicants. —Harlan Vaughn, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unavailable

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