level

²level

verb

leveled or levelledlevel·ing or level·ling \ˈle-və-liŋ, ˈlev-liŋ\

Definition of LEVEL

transitive verb

1

: to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level <level a field> <level off a house lot>

2

a : to bring to a horizontal aiming position b : aim, direct <leveled a charge of fraud>

3

: to bring to a common level or plane : equalize <love levels all ranks — W. S. Gilbert>

4

a : to lay level with or as if with the ground : raze b : to knock down <leveled him with one punch>

5

: to make (as color) even or uniform

6

: to find the heights of different points in (a piece of land) especially with a surveyor's level

intransitive verb

1

: to attain or come to a level <the plane leveled off at 10,000 feet>

2

: to aim a gun or other weapon horizontally

3

: to bring persons or things to a level

4

: to deal frankly and openly

Examples of LEVEL

1. They will level the field.
2. We need to level the garden before we plant anything.
3. The earthquake leveled the city.
4. He leveled his opponent with a right hook.
5. The robber leveled a gun at his head.
6. Several complaints have been leveled at the store.
7. Criticism has been leveled against the government for not responding to this crisis.

First Known Use of LEVEL

15th century

Related to LEVEL

Synonyms: balance, equate, even, equalize

Antonyms: rough, roughen

Related Words: equilibrate, equipoise; accommodate, adjust, compensate, fit; counterbalance; homogenize, normalize, regularize, standardize; democratize

Near Antonyms: disequilibrate

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with LEVEL

bevel, devil, Neville, revel