English Reference

Word

level

Phoneticslev·el, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈɫɛvəɫ/

UK/lˈɛvəl/

US spelling · leveled

Definitions

01amount or degree

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. the amount, size, or degree of something.

n. the relative amount, intensity, or degree of a quality or substance.

“The noise level in the library was very low today.”

“The researchers monitored the glucose levels in the blood samples over a twenty-four-hour period to observe the metabolic response.”

02stage or rank

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a specific stage in a process, a course of study, or a video game.

n. a discrete stage in a hierarchical system, such as an educational course, professional rank, or video game progression.

“I finally reached level ten in my favourite mobile game.”

“The curriculum is designed for students at an intermediate level who wish to refine their academic writing skills before university entrance.”

Synonyms

03height

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. the height of something compared to a fixed point, like the ground or the sea.

n. a position on a real or imaginary scale of height or depth.

“The water level in the lake rose after the heavy rain.”

“The coastal town is situated only three metres above sea level, making it vulnerable to seasonal flooding during high tides.”

04flat and even

A2 · Elementary

adj. having a flat surface that is not higher in one place than another.

adj. having a flat, even surface; horizontal and perpendicular to the force of gravity.

“Make sure the table is level so the pens don't roll off.”

“The carpenter used a spirit level to ensure the shelving unit was perfectly level before securing it to the wall studs.”

Antonyms

05equal

B1 · Intermediate

adj. at the same height or having the same score as someone else.

adj. being at the same height, rank, or position as another entity.

“The two runners were level as they approached the finish line.”

“By the end of the third quarter, the teams were level, setting the stage for a dramatic final ten minutes of play.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

06to flatten

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make something flat or even.

v. to make a surface horizontal or even; to reduce a structure to the ground.

“The workers had to level the ground before they could build the house.”

“The earthquake was powerful enough to level several older buildings in the historic district within seconds.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

roughen

07to equalise

B2 · Upper Intermediate Sports British English

v. to make the score of a game equal.

v. to make the score or status of a competition equal.

“He managed to level the score with a brilliant goal in the last minute.”

“The visiting team managed to level the match just before half-time, shifting the momentum in their favour for the second period.”

Synonyms

08to direct at

C1 · Advanced Formal

v. to point a weapon, a look, or an accusation directly at someone.

v. to aim or direct a weapon, a steady gaze, or a formal accusation at a target.

“She levelled a serious accusation against her former boss.”

“The prosecutor levelled several charges of fraud against the defendant, citing extensive evidence from the company's financial records.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “level” in context.

Verb

01. achieve level

“Students must study hard to achieve a high level of English proficiency.”

verb + noun

Adjective

02. absolute level

“It is difficult to measure the absolute level of poverty in the region.”

adj + noun

03. acceptable level

“The company is working to bring the risk down to an acceptable level.”

adj + noun

04. actual level

“The actual level of spending was much higher than the original budget.”

adj + noun

05. appropriate level

“Teachers must ensure the material is at an appropriate level for the students.”

adj + noun

06. level playing

07. level since

08. level of public

09. levels for years

10. levels from one

11. level of a deterrent

12. levels of carbon

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *leyH-der. Proto-Indo-European *-dʰromder. Proto-Italic *līðrā? Latin lībra Proto-Indo-European *-lós Proto-Italic *-elos Latin -lus Latin libella Old French nivel 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.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

Domains

EducationPhysicsSportsStatistics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Very common
Level
B1 · IntermediateOxford
Updated

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English Reference