Level Meaning
/ˈlɛvəl/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjThe same height at all places; parallel to a flat ground.
adjAt the same height as some reference; constructed as level with.
Sentence Examples
I won't lower myself to his level.
Corporate bankruptcies continued at a high level last month.
The cables are buried one metre below ground level.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The water in the river rose to a dangerous ____ after the heavy rain.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You should use a spirit ____ to ensure that the new shelf is perfectly horizontal before you fix it today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *leyH-der. Proto-Indo-European *-dʰromder. Proto-Italic *līðrā? Latin lībra Proto-Indo-European *-lós Proto-Indo-European *-elós Proto-Italic *-elos Latin -la 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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"the smooth and level pavement"
— 1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Nanny Broome was looking up at the outer wall. Just under the ceiling there were three lunette windows, heavily barred and blacked out in the normal way by centuries of grime. Their bases were on a level with the pavement outside, a narrow way which was several feet lower than the road behind the house."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 14, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"Young boys and girls
Are level now with men."
— c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene xv]:
"After a poor start to the season, Roy Hodgson's men are now unbeaten in four matches and 10th in the Premier League table, level with Aston Villa on 11 points."
— 2011 October 22, Sam Sheringham, “Aston Villa 1 - 2 West Brom”, in BBC Sport:
"a very plain and level account"
— 1873, Matthew Arnold, Literature and Dogma:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The water in the river rose to a dangerous ____ after the heavy rain.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You should use a spirit ____ to ensure that the new shelf is perfectly horizontal before you fix it today.