ENGLISH
REFERENCE

level out

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford General-service

phr. v.. to become even or balanced after being uneven; often used for surfaces or situations that were previously sloped or unbalanced.

phr. v.. to become even or flat; typically intransitive, though it can take an object in some contexts (e.g., 'level out the surface'). The phrase is commonly used in both physical and abstract contexts.


SIMPLE

The road levels out after the hill.

CONTEXTUAL

After the initial drop, the roller coaster levels out before the next loop.

COMPLEX

The company's profits finally leveled out after a period of fluctuation.

Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
level + out
Usage

typically intransitive, though it can take an object in some contexts (e.g., 'level out the surface').

Teaching tip

contrast with 'even out' (a near-synonym but slightly more common in American English) and 'stabilize' (more formal).

Pitfall

The surface leveled up.The surface leveled out.'level up' means to increase or improve, while 'level out' means to become even or flat — a common confusion for learners.

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