unavailability
/ˌʌnəveɪləˈbɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnəveɪləˈbɪləti/ (ame, ipa) · /¦ən+/ (ame, mw)
unavailability — noun
1. the state or situation in which something cannot be got, found, bought, or used
the state or situation in which something cannot be got, found, bought, or used because it is not present, not free, or not being supplied
The unavailability of clean drinking water forces many rural families to walk miles every day.
collocation: unavailability of [resource]
Passengers grew frustrated by the unavailability of taxis outside the station after midnight.
Dr. Okafor's unavailability on Friday forced the clinic to cancel all afternoon appointments.
The factory shut down for a week due to the unavailability of parts from suppliers.
Ritu sighed at the unavailability of any vegetarian options on the late-night room-service menu.
- shortage
focuses on insufficient quantity of something; 'unavailability' can describe a complete lack or temporary inaccessibility
- absence
simply states something is not present; 'unavailability' carries a stronger sense that the thing is needed or wanted
- scarcity
emphasises limited supply relative to demand; 'unavailability' can be about timing or access, not just quantity
- availability
direct opposite — the state of being easy to get or use
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'of' to specify what cannot be obtained. Common in formal, business, or academic contexts.