level
having no part higher than another; having a flat or even surface.
being in a plane parallel to the plane of the horizon; horizontal.
a device used for determining or adjusting something to a horizontal surface.
Surveying.
Also called sur·vey·or's lev·el. an instrument for observing levels, having a sighting device, usually telescopic, and capable of being made precisely horizontal.
an observation made with this instrument.
an imaginary line or surface everywhere at right angles to the plumb line.
the horizontal line or plane in which anything is situated, with regard to its elevation.
a horizontal position or condition.
an extent of land approximately horizontal and unbroken by irregularities.
a level or flat surface.
a position with respect to a given or specified height: The water rose to a level of 30 feet.
an extent, measure, or degree of intensity, achievement, etc.: a high level of sound; an average level of writing skill.
Linguistics. a major subdivision of linguistic structure, as phonology, morphology, or syntax, often viewed as hierarchically ordered.: Compare component (def. 6a), stratum (def. 8).
Mining. the interconnected horizontal mine workings at a particular elevation or depth: There had been a cave-in on the 1,500-foot level.
(in a video game or role-playing game)
a discrete section in game design or narrative that ends with a culminating event, as a boss battle.
to make (a surface) level, even, or flat: to level ground before building.
to raise or lower to a particular level or position; to make horizontal.
to bring (something) to the level of the ground; raze: They leveled the trees to make way for the new highway.
Informal. to knock down (a person): He leveled his opponent with one blow.
to make equal, as in status or condition.
to make even or uniform, as coloring.
Historical Linguistics. (of the alternative forms of a paradigm) to reduce in number or regularize: Old English “him” (dative) and “hine” (accusative) have been leveled to Modern English “him.”
to aim or point (a weapon, criticism, etc.) at a mark or objective: He leveled his criticism at the college as a whole.
Surveying. to find the relative elevation of different points in (land), as with a level.
to bring things or persons to a common level.
to aim a weapon, criticism, etc., at a mark or objective.
Surveying.
to take a level.
to use a leveling instrument.
to speak truthfully and openly (often followed by with): You're not leveling with me about your trip to Chicago.
Obsolete. to direct the mind, purpose, etc., at something.
Obsolete. in a level, direct, or even way or line.
level off,
Aeronautics. to maintain a constant altitude after a climb or descent.
to become stable; reach a constant or limit.
to make even or smooth.
level up,
(in a video game or tabletop game) to obtain a higher character level or skill rank, or improve the quality or performance statistics of an object, as a weapon.
to perform at a higher standard than expected, or show vast improvement: It’s possible for a small business to level up and land big clients.Your date is smokin’ hot—way to level up, bro!
Idioms about level
find one's (own) level, to attain the place or position merited by one's abilities or achievements: He finally found his level as one of the directors of the firm.
one's level best, one's very best; one's utmost: We tried our level best to get here on time.
on the level, Informal. honest; sincere; reliable: Is this information on the level?
Origin of level
1synonym study For level
Other words for level
Opposites for level
Other words from level
- lev·el·ly, adverb
- lev·el·ness, noun
- an·ti·lev·el·ing, adjective
- an·ti·lev·el·ling, adjective
- in·ter·lev·el, adjective
- non·lev·el, adjective
- re·lev·el, verb, re·lev·eled, re·lev·el·ing or (especially British) re·lev·elled, re·lev·el·ling.
- self-lev·el·ing, adjective
- self-lev·el·ling, adjective
- un·der·lev·el, adjective
- un·lev·el, adjective
- un·lev·el·ly, adverb
- un·lev·el·ness, noun
- un·lev·eled, adjective
- un·lev·elled, adjective
- well-leveled, adjective
- well-levelled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use level in a sentence
The socks are available with different cushion levels and in low-cut or crew versions.
The hottest gifts to buy for the friend who’s always cold | Sandra Gutierrez G. | November 20, 2020 | Popular-Science“We have to scale up all of the things that we already know, but we have to take them to another level because this is a crisis like none that’s ever really faced humanity before,” Hagon said.
Natural disasters are increasing. The world’s poorest are left to fend for themselves. | Jariel Arvin | November 20, 2020 | Vox“We’re very covid-conscious,” CBS News president Susan Zirinsky said at the time, noting that only an “adequate” level of in-person staffing would be used.
Despite precautions, CBS headquarters reports 15 coronavirus cases amid nationwide surge | Jeremy Barr | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostOxford University researchers say they think the alerts can be helpful at all levels of uptake.
A covid-fighting tool is buried in your phone. Turn it on. | Geoffrey Fowler | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostIn 2009, the ambition of the level design here was hampered by technology.
‘Demon’s Souls’ review: The ideal PlayStation 5 launch game | Gene Park | November 20, 2020 | Washington Post
When it comes to the increasing number of rape allegations leveled at Bill Cosby, the smoke is becoming impenetrable.
Butts, Brawls, and Bill Cosby: The Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2014 | Kevin Fallon | December 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“They are innocent of the charges leveled against them,” a statement issued by Farmer, who also represents the accused, said.
He called for the homes of their families to be leveled “to the ground” and their relatives to be exiled from Chechnya.
Putin’s Favorite Acolyte Terrorizes Human Rights Activists | Anna Nemtsova | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMany historians have leveled criticism at the Code, arguing that it was too conservative and supportive of the bourgeois.
His stand-up career leveled up after Comedy Central specials that aired in 2009 and 2012.
As Motor Matt walked toward the man with the leveled revolver, the wood-hauler cried out a startled "Madre mia!"
Motor Matt's "Century" Run | Stanley R. MatthewsBefore he could do anything with it, Clip grabbed it out of his hand, leveled it after the receding form, and pulled the trigger.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run | Stanley R. MatthewsPhyllis reached over, picked up the gun, and leveled it calmly at the bandits.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O | Clair BlankHalf a dozen pistols were leveled at the boy, and as many machetes flashed in the air.
Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser | Walter Fenton MottThe earth at the bottom of the cut (E) was leveled and made solid with heavy rammers .
The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone Johnston
British Dictionary definitions for level
/ (ˈlɛvəl) /
on a horizontal plane
having a surface of completely equal height
being of the same height as something else
(of quantities to be measured, as in recipes) even with the top of the cup, spoon, etc
equal to or even with (something or someone else)
not having or showing inconsistency or irregularities
Also: level-headed even-tempered; steady
(tr sometimes foll by off) to make (a surface) horizontal, level, or even
to make (two or more people or things) equal, as in position or status
(tr) to raze to the ground
(tr) to knock (a person) down by or as if by a blow
(tr) to direct (a gaze, criticism, etc) emphatically at someone
(intr often foll by with) informal to be straightforward and frank
(intr; foll by off or out) to manoeuvre an aircraft into a horizontal flight path after a dive, climb, or glide
(often foll by at) to aim (a weapon) horizontally
surveying to determine the elevation of a section of (land), sighting through a levelling instrument to a staff at successive pairs or points
a horizontal datum line or plane
a device, such as a spirit level, for determining whether a surface is horizontal
a surveying instrument consisting basically of a telescope with a spirit level attached, used for measuring relative heights of land: See Abney level, dumpy level
a reading of the difference in elevation of two points taken with such an instrument
position or status in a scale of values
amount or degree of progress; stage
a specified vertical position; altitude
a horizontal line or plane with respect to which measurement of elevation is based: sea level
a flat even surface or area of land
a horizontal passage or drift in a mine
any of the successive layers of material that have been deposited with the passage of time to build up and raise the height of the land surface
physics the ratio of the magnitude of a physical quantity to an arbitrary magnitude: sound-pressure level
do one's level best to make every possible effort; try one's utmost
find one's level to find one's most suitable place socially, professionally, etc
on a level on the same horizontal plane as another
on the level informal sincere, honest, or genuine
Origin of level
1Derived forms of level
- levelly, adverb
- levelness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with level
In addition to the idioms beginning with level
- level best
- level off
- level with someone
also see:
- do one's (level) best
- on the level
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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