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Level

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level¹

  • /ˈlɛvəl/
  • [ˈlɛvəl] ~ [ˈlɛvl̩]

Rhymes with -ɛvəl

Where it comes from

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *leyH-der.

Proto-Indo-European *-dʰromder.

Proto-Italic *līðrā?

Latin lībra

Proto-Indo-European *-lós

Proto-Indo-European *-elós

Proto-Italic *-elos

Latin -la

Latin libella

Old French livelbor.

Middle English level

English level

From Middle English level, from Old French livel, liveau m, later nivel, niveau, from Latin libella f (“a balance, a level”), diminutive of libra f (“a balance, a level”); see libra, librate. Doublet of libella and niveau.

The verb is from Middle English levelen, from the noun.

adjective leveler · leveller · levelest · levellest

  1. The same height at all places; parallel to a flat ground. This table isn't quite level; see how this marble rolls off it?
  2. At the same height as some reference; constructed as level with. We tried to hang the pictures so that the bottom of the frames were level with the dark line in the wallpaper.
  3. Unvaried in frequency. His pulse has been level for 12 hours.
  4. Unvaried in volume. His voice has been unchanged. It has been level for 12 hours.
  5. Calm. He kept a level head under stress.
  6. In the same position or rank. Young boys and girls Are level now with men.
  7. Straightforward; direct; clear. a very plain and level account
  8. Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial. a level head; a level understanding
  9. Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection; monotonic. Intonation or tone is either level, rising, or falling, marked respectively
  10. Perpendicular to a gravitational force. The earth's oceans remain level in relation to the pull of gravity.

noun levels

  1. countable, uncountable A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference. Hand me the level so I can tell if this is correctly installed.
  2. countable, uncountable A distance relative to a given reference elevation. By the end of the day, we'd dug down to the level of the old basement floor.
  3. countable, uncountable Degree or amount. This time was most dreadful for Lilian. Thrown on her own resources and almost penniless, she maintained herself and paid the rent of a wretched room near the hospital by working as a charwoman, sempstress, anything. In a moment she had dropped to the level of a casual labourer.
  4. countable, uncountable Achievement or qualification. She achieved a high level of distinction.
  5. countable, uncountable Distance from the root node of a tree structure.
  6. countable, uncountable One of several discrete segments of a game, generally increasing in difficulty and representing different locations in the game world. Many of the levels change over time, from day to night or from one location to another, and some undergo a total transformation.
  7. countable, uncountable A numeric value given to a character (or other element of a game) that represents its relative power, challenge or eligibility to do things, used as a game mechanic to govern progression through a game. My half-orc barbarian reached fifth level before he was squashed by a troll.
  8. countable, uncountable A floor of a multi-storey building. Take the elevator and get off at the promenade level.
  9. UK, countable, uncountable An area of almost perfectly flat land. The troops grow mutinous—the revenue fails— There’s something rotten in us—for the level Of the State slopes, its very bases topple, The boldest turn their backs upon themselves!
  10. Singapore, countable, uncountable A school grade or year.
  11. countable, uncountable One of the specific values which may be taken by a categorical variable. The most common level of the colour variable is red. The other levels are blue and green.
  12. Internet, countable, uncountable age (especially used by cosplayers and TikTok users

verb levels · leveling · levelling · leveled · levelled

  1. transitive To adjust so as to make as flat or perpendicular to the ground as possible. You can level the table by turning the pads that screw into the feet.
  2. transitive To destroy by reducing to ground level; to raze. The hurricane leveled the forest.
  3. intransitive To progress to the next level. I levelled after defeating the dragon.
  4. transitive To aim or direct (a weapon, a stare, an accusation, etc). He levelled an accusation of fraud at the directors.  The hunter levels the gun before taking a shot.
  5. transitive To direct or impose (a penalty, fine, etc) at or upon (someone) [with on or against or at]. If the right of killing salmon belong exclusively to the King, and consequently to his donatories, why has not the Legislature secured the right by levelling penalties against such as should encroach upon it … ?
  6. intransitive To make the score of a game equal. Holt was furious referee Michael Oliver refused to then award him a penalty after Ledley King appeared to pull his shirt and his anger was compounded when Spurs immediately levelled.
  7. figuratively, transitive To bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc. to level all the ranks and conditions of men
  8. transitive To adjust or adapt to a certain level. to level remarks to the capacity of children
  9. intransitive To speak honestly and openly [with with ‘someone’] (see: level with). Sean, I'll level with you. This could get ugly. Do you have a gun?
  10. To replace (an irregular form) with a more common form; to remove irregularities or complexities, such as within a paradigm; to regularize.

Level²

Where it comes from

Borrowed from French Level.

proper noun Levels

  1. A surname from French.

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