level

1 of 3

noun

lev·el ˈle-vəl

: a device for establishing a horizontal line or plane by means of a bubble in a liquid that shows adjustment to the horizontal by movement to the center of a slightly bowed glass tube

: a measurement of the difference of altitude of two points by means of a level

: horizontal condition

especially : equilibrium of a fluid marked by a horizontal surface of even altitude

water seeks its own level

: an approximately horizontal line or surface taken as an index of altitude

Charts were arranged at eye level.

: a practically horizontal surface or area (as of land)

the level of the plateau

: a position in a scale or rank (as of achievement, significance, or value)

funded at the national level

the job appeals to me on many levels

: a line or surface that cuts perpendicularly all plumb lines that it meets and hence would everywhere coincide with a surface of still water

: the plane of the horizon or a line in it

: a horizontal passage in a mine intended for regular working and transportation

: a concentration of a constituent especially of a body fluid (such as blood)

a normal blood-sugar level

: the magnitude of a quantity considered in relation to an arbitrary reference value

broadly : magnitude, intensity

a high level of hostility

level

2 of 3

verb

leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling ˈle-və-liŋ

ˈlev-liŋ

transitive verb

: to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level

level a field

level off a house lot

: to bring to a horizontal aiming position

: aim, direct

leveled a charge of fraud

: to bring to a common level or plane : equalize

love levels all ranks—

W. S. Gilbert

: to lay level with or as if with the ground : raze

: to knock down

leveled him with one punch

: to make (something, such as color) even or uniform

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

intransitive verb

: to attain or come to a level

The plane leveled off at 10,000 feet.

adjective

: having no part higher than another : conforming to the curvature of the liquid parts of the earth's surface

: parallel with the plane of the horizon : horizontal

: even or unvarying in height

: equal in advantage, progression, or standing

: proceeding monotonously or uneventfully

d(1)

: steady, unwavering

gave him a level look

(2)

: calm, unexcited

spoke in level tones

: reasonable, balanced

arrive at a justly proportional and level judgment on this affair—

Sir Winston Churchill

: distributed evenly

level stress

: being a surface perpendicular to all lines of force in a field of force : equipotential

: suited to a particular rank or plane of ability or achievement

top-level thinking

: of or relating to the spreading out of a cost or charge in even payments over a period of time

levelly

ˈle-və(l)-lē

adverb

levelness

ˈle-vəl-nəs

noun

Phrases

on the level

: bona fide, honest

level best

: very best

Choose the Right Synonym for level

level, flat, plane, even, smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities.

level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

Example Sentences

Noun The pictures were hung on the wall at eye level. The pictures were hung at different levels. There was a high level of alcohol in his blood. a normal level of intelligence Prices have risen to a new level. She rose to the level of manager. She has reached a rare level of financial success. These problems affect people at all levels of society. Can this problem be dealt with at a national level or must it be addressed at an international level? Verb They will level the field. We need to level the garden before we plant anything. The earthquake leveled the city. He leveled his opponent with a right hook. The robber leveled a gun at his head. Several complaints have been leveled at the store. Criticism has been leveled against the government for not responding to this crisis. Adjective We pitched the tent on level ground. an airplane in level flight Interest rates have remained level. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Now preparing for their fourth year under Roadrunners safeties coach and defensive coordinator Jess Loepp, Nwachuku and Robinson have raised those conversations to a new level. —

Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Mar. 2023 There’s less of a gap between what was good for us last year on the front and then kind of the gap between the next level was too big. —

Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2023 Compatible Camp Chef accessories, such as a griddle and pizza oven, can be integrated into the 60x Deluxe to take your camp-side cooking to the next level. —

Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2023 The level of technical and engineering sophistication is extremely high. —

Jean Lindamood, Car and Driver, 23 Mar. 2023 That is out of step with what investors now expect, with interest-rate futures putting roughly even odds on whether the Fed’s target range will end the year at its current level or be 0.25 percentage point lower. —

Justin Lahart, WSJ, 22 Mar. 2023 Its technical societies and its councils, sections, and regional groups offer educational events and resources at every level to support technical professions and prepare the workforce of tomorrow. —

IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023 It's also been encouraged at every level by coaches and mentors who helped Mathurin on his path to self-discovery. —

Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Mar. 2023 The frame has an extra-thick mat that mimics those used in museums and art galleries, elevating your art display to a new level. —

Kate Mcgregor, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2023

Verb

Apple is threatening to level disciplinary action against workers who fail to come into the office for three-fifths of the working week, Zoë Schiffer, managing editor of tech newsletter Platformer, tweeted on Wednesday. —

Jane Thier, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2023 However, the uniformity and simplicity of electric drivetrains compared to internal combustion has helped level a playing field previously dominated by carmakers with more than a century of engine-building experience. —

WIRED, 18 Mar. 2023 For most cars, a screaming V-12 would be the defining piece of hardware, but the Purosangue's engine costars with its suspension, which uses 48-volt electric motors at each corner to actively level the body. —

Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 7 Mar. 2023 This helps the rider see at a quick glance whether the motor is turned on, what assist level the bike is set to, and other vital information like current speed and trip distance. —

Dan Cavallari, Popular Mechanics, 3 Mar. 2023 The other team, representing the provincial capital of Guangzhou, scored twice to level the game before Qingyuan returned to full strength. —

Chun Han Wong, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2023 Cumbersome and somewhat lacking in range but extremely powerful, the M240 can level city blocks or smash deep entrenchments from up to 12 miles away. —

David Axe, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2023 Bauer might well level similar allegations in his official response to her counter-suit. —

Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2023 However, a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives—the Find It Early Act—aims to level the cost playing field for additional breast cancer screenings. —

Amber Brenza, Health, 10 Mar. 2023

Adjective

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area Catch some air while whooshing down a 30-foot slide at this multi-level park located in Buffalo Bayou Park. —

Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 13 Mar. 2023 Other players have pro-level ability, too, including point guard Quinerly, bigs Noah Gurley and Nick Pringle and shooting guard Rylan Griffen. —

Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 12 Mar. 2023 The office is also hiring for a mid-level assistant state’s attorney at a starting salary of $95,000. —

Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2023 Armas also asked them to repackage large amounts of drugs and sell out of their home to users as well as mid-level dealers. —

Beth Warren, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2023 Free agency isn’t the answer other than Meyers, though a mid-level veteran such as Mack Hollins (690 yards and a special teams ace) would be a nice fit. —

Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Mar. 2023 This week: a multi-level plant stand that can hold so much more than houseplants. —

Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2023 The New York City Fire Department said on Twitter crews were responding to a fire at a multi-level building on 59th Street near 37th Avenue in the Woodside neighborhood around 9:45 p.m. EST. —

Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2023 Mid-level and entry-level leaders were 33% and 47% less likely to feel appreciated, respectively, than senior leaders. —

Gary Beckstrand, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'level.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, plumb line, from Anglo-French livel, from Vulgar Latin *libellum, alteration of Latin libella, from diminutive of libra weight, balance

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of level was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century