What does "level" mean?
A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference.
Level
/ˈlɛv.l̩/ adj, name, noun, verb
adj, name, noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference.
- Grammar: level is listed as adj, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: degree, floor, grade, storey.
- Useful contrasts: tilted, unbalanced, uneven.
- Usage evidence: I won't lower myself to his level.
How to use "level"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "level" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "level" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "level" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "level" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "level" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "degree" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "level", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference. countable, uncountable
"Hand me the level so I can tell if this is correctly installed."
- 2 a structure consisting of a room or set of rooms at a single position along a vertical scale wordnet
- 3 A distance relative to a given reference elevation. countable, uncountable
"By the end of the day, we'd dug down to the level of the old basement floor."
- 4 a flat surface at right angles to a plumb line wordnet
- 5 Degree or amount. countable, uncountable
"This time was most dreadful for Lilian. Thrown on her own resources and almost penniless, she maintained herself and paid the rent of a wretched room near the hospital by working as a charwoman, sempstress, anything. In a moment she had dropped to the level of a casual labourer."
Show 14 more definitions
- 6 indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid wordnet
- 7 Achievement or qualification. countable, uncountable
"She achieved a high level of distinction."
- 8 a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality wordnet
- 9 Distance from the root node of a tree structure. countable, uncountable
- 10 height above ground wordnet
- 11 One of several discrete segments of a game, generally increasing in difficulty and representing different locations in the game world. countable, uncountable
"Many of the levels change over time, from day to night or from one location to another, and some undergo a total transformation."
- 12 an abstract place usually conceived as having depth wordnet
- 13 A numeric value given to a character (or other element of a game) that represents its relative power, challenge or eligibility to do things, used as a game mechanic to govern progression through a game. countable, uncountable
"My half-orc barbarian reached fifth level before he was squashed by a troll."
- 14 a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process wordnet
- 15 A floor of a multi-storey building. countable, uncountable
"Take the elevator and get off at the promenade level."
- 16 a relative position or degree of value in a graded group wordnet
- 17 An area of almost perfectly flat land. British, countable, uncountable
"The troops grow mutinous—the revenue fails— There’s something rotten in us—for the level Of the State slopes, its very bases topple, The boldest turn their backs upon themselves!"
- 18 A school grade or year. Singapore, countable, uncountable
- 19 One of the specific values which may be taken by a categorical variable. countable, uncountable
"The most common level of the colour variable is red. The other levels are blue and green."
Verb
- 1 To adjust so as to make as flat or perpendicular to the ground as possible. transitive
"You can level the table by turning the pads that screw into the feet."
- 2 become level or even wordnet
- 3 To destroy by reducing to ground level; to raze. transitive
"The hurricane leveled the forest."
- 4 talk frankly with; lay it on the line wordnet
- 5 To progress to the next level. intransitive
"I levelled after defeating the dragon."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 direct into a position for use wordnet
- 7 To aim or direct (a weapon, a stare, an accusation, etc). transitive
"He levelled an accusation of fraud at the directors. The hunter levels the gun before taking a shot."
- 8 aim at wordnet
- 9 To direct or impose (a penalty, fine, etc) at or upon (someone) [with on or against or at]. transitive
"If the right of killing salmon belong exclusively to the King, and consequently to his donatories, why has not the Legislature secured the right by levelling penalties against such as should encroach upon it … ?"
- 10 make level or straight wordnet
- 11 To make the score of a game equal. intransitive
"Holt was furious referee Michael Oliver refused to then award him a penalty after Ledley King appeared to pull his shirt and his anger was compounded when Spurs immediately levelled."
- 12 tear down so as to make flat with the ground wordnet
- 13 To bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc. figuratively, transitive
"to level all the ranks and conditions of men"
- 14 To adjust or adapt to a certain level. transitive
"to level remarks to the capacity of children"
- 15 To speak honestly and openly [with with ‘someone’] (see: level with). intransitive
"Sean, I'll level with you. This could get ugly. Do you have a gun?"
Adjective
- 1 The same height at all places; parallel to a flat ground.
"This table isn't quite level; see how this marble rolls off it?"
- 2 At the same height as some reference; constructed as level with.
"We tried to hang the pictures so that the bottom of the frames were level with the dark line in the wallpaper."
- 3 Unvaried in frequency.
"His pulse has been level for 12 hours."
- 4 Unvaried in volume.
"His voice has been unchanged. It has been level for 12 hours."
- 5 Calm.
"He kept a level head under stress."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 In the same position or rank.
"Young boys and girls Are level now with men."
- 7 Straightforward; direct; clear.
"a very plain and level account"
- 8 Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial.
"a level head; a level understanding"
- 9 Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection; monotonic.
"Intonation or tone is either level, rising, or falling, marked respectively"
- 10 Perpendicular to a gravitational force.
"The earth's oceans remain level in relation to the pull of gravity."
Adjective
- 1 of the score in a contest wordnet
- 2 having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another wordnet
- 3 oriented at right angles to the plumb wordnet
- 4 being on a precise horizontal plane wordnet
- 5 not showing abrupt variations wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from French.
Antonyms
Example
"I won't lower myself to his level."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "level"?
Common synonyms include: degree, floor, grade, storey, tier, ability degree.
How do you use "level" in a sentence?
I won't lower myself to his level.
How do you pronounce "level"?
Pronounced /ˈlɛv.l̩/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
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 2
Borrowed from French Level.