uhn-uh-VAY-luh-buhl
/ˌʌnəˈveɪləbəl/
unavailable is pronounced uhn-uh-VAY-luh-buhl (/ˌʌnəˈveɪləbəl/). Unavailable means not accessible or reachable, or not currently ready for use. It describes something or someone that cannot be used or contacted at a given time, often due to temporary inaccessibility, absence, or restrictions. In longer contexts, it can imply a service, resource, or person is out of reach, or not present to respond or assist.
Unavailable means not accessible or reachable, or not currently ready for use. It describes something or someone that cannot be used or contacted at a given time, often due to temporary inaccessibility, absence, or restrictions. In longer contexts, it can imply a service, resource, or person is out of reach, or not present to respond or assist.
"The customer service line is unavailable after 5 p.m."
"The file is unavailable right now while we perform maintenance."
"He is unavailable for comment due to a prior commitment."
Pronounce as un-uh-VAY-luh-buhl with primary stress on the second syllable: /ʌnˈeɪl.ə.bəl/ (US) or /ˌənˈeɪl.ə.bəl/ (UK). Start with /ʌ/ like 'uh', move to /ˈeɪ/ as in 'ay', then /l/ with a light schwa /ə/ before the final /bəl/ cluster. In careful speech, maintain the /l/ clear and avoid merging the syllables too quickly. Listening practice: compare to 'available' to feel the shift in stress.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (placing primary stress on the first or third syllable), misproducing the central vowel as /ɪ/ or /æ/, and inaccurately closing the final /l/ with /d/ or /ɫ. Correction tips: fix the stress on the second syllable /ˈeɪ/; ensure a clear /l/ before the /ə/; keep the final /bəl/ light and rounded. Practice with slow syllable taps to reinforce the /n/ + /ˈeɪ/ onset, then blend to natural speed.
US: /ʌnˈeɪl.ə.bəl/ with rhotic /r/ not present here; UK/Non-rhotic: /ˌənˈeɪ.lə.bəl/ with a slightly shorter second syllable and less pronounced /r/ in tired contexts; AU: /ˌəːnˈeɪləˌbeəl/ or /ˌənˈeɪləˌbeɫ/, with a slightly broader vowel in the first schwa-less /ə/ and a more rounded final /əl/. The main differences are vowel quality, syllable reduction, and rhoticity. Listen to native speakers to sense the subtle vowels and consonant length.
Two main challenges: the middle /eɪ/ sequence in 'avail-' requiring careful vowel movement from /æ/ or /ə/ to /eɪ/ and the fast, light final -ble cluster that follows /ə/. The stress pattern places emphasis on the second syllable, making the syllable rhythm tricky for non-native speakers. Additionally, the combination of the /n/ plus the /ɪ/ or /ə/ glide can create uncertainty about where to place the peak of effort. Focus on the /ˈeɪ/ vowel and crisp /l/ and /bəl/ closure.
A useful tip is to anchor the stress on the second syllable by saying ‘un-AY-luh-buhl’ slowly while isolating /ˈeɪ/ and /l/ before adding the final /bəl/. Visualize the mouth positions: start with a relaxed jaw for /ʌ/, raise the mid-front tongue for /eɪ/, keep the lips neutral for /lə/, and finish with a light /b/ followed by a soft /əl/. This helps prevent overweakening the middle vowel and keeps the final consonants clear.
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US: Polar accent focuses on rhotic/non-rhotic nuances; ensure /r/ is not pronounced in this word but be aware of rounding around /ə/. UK: Slightly shorter second syllable, more clipped vowel transitions; AU: Subtle vowel length differences; keep /ə/ sound neutral with less schwa reduction. Vowel notes: /ʌ/ or /ə/ depending on speaker, /eɪ/ fully realized as a diphthong; /ə/ in the final position often laxed. Use IPA as reference: /ʌnˈeɪləˌbeɫ/ (US), /ˌənˈeɪləˈbel/ (UK), /ˌənˈeɪləˌbiːl/ (AU).
Unavailable comes from the prefix un- meaning ‘not’ or ‘the opposite of’ combined with the adjective available. Available itself traces to Middle English avalen, from Old French avaler, and Latin habēre (to have) in the sense of ‘to be ready to use’ (via Old French availables). The sense shift to “not accessible” emerges in the late Middle English through the idea of lack of availability or readiness. The construction un- + available has long been used to describe things or persons that cannot be used, contacted, or obtained at a given moment, often due to temporary conditions rather than permanent absence. First known uses appear in legal and administrative texts where access or service availability was ascribed or denied, evolving to common spoken usage as technology, services, and scheduling intensified in the modern era. Today, unavailable is frequently used in professional communication, customer service, and tech contexts to indicate a temporary state rather than a fixed attribute. The word’s durability lies in its clear negation with un- and the widely understood concept of availability, making it a concise descriptor across domains, from operations to interpersonal interactions.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "unavailable" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "unavailable" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "unavailable"
-ble sounds
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