ENGLISH
REFERENCE

level

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈɫɛvəɫ// UK //lˈɛvəl// lev·el
  1. 1 amount or degree (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the amount, size, or degree of something.

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

    Example

    The noise level in the library was very low today.

    Example

    The researchers monitored the glucose levels in the blood samples over a twenty-four-hour period to observe the metabolic response.
  2. 2 stage or rank (n.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

    I finally reached level ten in my favourite mobile game.

    Example

    The curriculum is designed for students at an intermediate level who wish to refine their academic writing skills before university entrance.
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  1. 3 height (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The coastal town is situated only three metres above sea level, making it vulnerable to seasonal flooding during high tides.
  2. 4 flat and even (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The carpenter used a spirit level to ensure the shelving unit was perfectly level before securing it to the wall studs.
  3. 5 equal (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    By the end of the third quarter, the teams were level, setting the stage for a dramatic final ten minutes of play.
  4. 6 to flatten (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make something flat or even.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The earthquake was powerful enough to level several older buildings in the historic district within seconds.
    • roughen
  5. 7 to equalise (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Sport

    to make the score of a game equal.

    to make the score or status of a competition equal.

    Example

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

    Example

    The visiting team managed to level the match just before half-time, shifting the momentum in their favour for the second period.
  6. 8 to direct at (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

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

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

    Example

    She levelled a serious accusation against her former boss.

    Example

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

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.

Idioms5 entries

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