availability

/əˌveɪləˈbɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /əˌveɪləˈbɪləti/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˌvā-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ (ame, mw)

availability — noun

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

1.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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.

反義詞
  • shortage

    describes a lack of something normally available.

  • scarcity

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

文法句型

the availability of [something]

subject to availability

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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.

反義詞
  • unavailability

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

文法句型

someone's availability

availability for [event/work]

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

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