level
gb/lˈɛvəl/ us/lˈɛvəl/
A2
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
height or position on a scale
The height or amount of something compared to another point.
Usage pattern:
the level of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'level' with 'layer'. 'Level' is about height or degree, while 'layer' is about a covering or thickness of material.
Synonyms
height (Refers specifically to vertical distance, not amount or degree.)
|
degree (Often refers to amount or intensity rather than physical height.)
Antonyms
depth (Opposite in terms of vertical measurement going downward.)
Collocations
high level
|low level
|sea level
|noise level
|skill level
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|education
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The water level in the lake has dropped this year.
- Her stress level increased during the exam period.
- The noise level in the factory is too high for comfort.
- Sea level is rising due to climate change.
Learner examples
- The water level is low.
- Your English level is good.
- The noise level is high today.
- Sea level is higher now.
Noun
A2
entity
2
stage or rank in a system
A stage or place in a system or group.
Usage pattern:
at [a/an] [adjective] level
Synonyms
rank (Implies an official position in a hierarchy.)
|
stage (More general and can refer to any point in a process.)
Antonyms
bottom (Lowest stage or rank.)
Collocations
entry level
|advanced level
|management level
|college level
Themes
education
|business
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She works at a senior management level.
- This course is for students at an advanced level.
- Entry-level jobs often require little experience.
Learner examples
- I am at a beginner level.
- He works at a high level.
- This game is for all levels.
adjective
A2
property
3
flat and even surface
Flat and not going up or down.
Synonyms
flat (Most common term for something without slope or bumps.)
Antonyms
sloped (Surface that tilts upward or downward.)
Collocations
level ground
|level surface
|keep level
Themes
construction
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Make sure the table is level before putting the glasses on it.
- The ground here is not level enough for a tent.
- Hold the camera level to get a straight picture.
Learner examples
- The road is level here.
- Put the box on a level table.
- The floor is not level.
Verb
B1
action
4
make flat and even surface
To make something flat and not going up or down.
Usage pattern:
to level [something]
Synonyms
flatten (General term for making something flat; not always about slope.)
Antonyms
raise (To make higher rather than even out.)
Collocations
level the ground
|level the surface
Themes
construction
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They leveled the site before building the house.
- Please level the soil before planting the grass.
- Workers are leveling the road surface.
Learner examples
- We need to level the ground.
- He leveled the floor before painting.
- They leveled the road.
Verb
B2
action
5
destroy building to ground level
To knock down a building until it is flat on the ground.
Usage pattern:
to level [a building/place]
Synonyms
raze (More formal/literary synonym specifically for buildings.)
Antonyms
build (To construct rather than destroy.)
Collocations
level the building
|level the city
Themes
construction
|disasters
|housing
|work
Examples
- The old warehouse was leveled to make space for a park.
- The town was leveled by the earthquake.
- They plan to level the factory next month.
Learner examples
- The storm leveled many houses.
- They leveled the old school.
- The bomb leveled the city.
Grammar
Dictionary form
level
IPA
GB/lˈɛvəl/
US/lˈɛvəl/
Syllables & stress
level (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (level)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: level
Noun
- Base: level
- Plural: level, levels
Verb
- Base: level
- 3rd Person Singular: levels
- Present Participle: leveling, levelling
- Past: leveled, levelled
Word family
Forms
levels
noun
leveling
verb
levelling
verb
leveled
verb
levelled
verb
Advanced or less common
leveler
noun
Expressions
at eye level
1/ˈæt ˈaɪ lˈɛvəl/
fixed phrase
aligned with viewer's eyes horizontally
When something is at the same height as your eyes.
Examples
- The picture should be hung at eye level.
- The shelf is placed at eye level for easy access.
on the level
1/ˈɔn ðə lˈɛvəl/
idiom
informal
honest and truthful
To be honest and not trying to trick anyone.
Examples
- You can trust her—she’s on the level.
- Are you on the level about this deal?
take something to the next level
1/tˈeɪk sˈʌmθɪŋ tə ðə nˈɛkst lˈɛvəl/
idiom
informal
improve significantly beyond current state
To make something much better than it was before.
Examples
- This new software takes productivity to the next level.
- Her cooking skills have gone to the next level since she took classes.
level playing field
1/lˈɛvəl plˈeɪɪŋ fˈild/
idiom
Fair and equal conditions for everyone
A situation where everyone has the same chance to succeed.
Examples
- The new rules create a level playing field for small businesses.
- We need to ensure a level playing field in education.
level playing field
2/lˈɛvəl plˈeɪɪŋ fˈild/
idiom
equal opportunity situation
When everyone has the same chance and no one has an unfair advantage.
Examples
- We need to create a level playing field for all candidates.
- The new law aims to ensure a level playing field in business.