- level
- [[t]le̱v(ə)l[/t]]
♦levels, levelling, levelled(in AM, use leveling, leveled)1) N-COUNT: with supp A level is a point on a scale, for example a scale of amount, quality, or difficulty.
If you don't know your cholesterol level, it's a good idea to have it checked...
Michael's roommate had been pleasant on a superficial level...
We do have the lowest level of inflation for some years...
The exercises are marked according to their level of difficulty.
2) N-SING: the N The level of a river, lake, or ocean or the level of liquid in a container is the height of its surface.→ See also sea levelThe water level of the Mississippi River is already 6.5 feet below normal...
The gauge relies upon a sensor in the tank to relay the fuel level.
3) ADJ: ADJ n In cookery, a level spoonful of a substance such as flour or sugar is an amount that fills the spoon exactly, without going above the top edge.Stir in 1 level teaspoon of yeast.
Ant:4) N-SING: usu supp N If something is at a particular level, it is at that height.Liz sank down until the water came up to her chin and the bubbles were at eye level.
5) ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n If one thing is level with another thing, it is at the same height as it.He leaned over the counter so his face was almost level with the boy's...
Amy knelt down so that their eyes were level.
6) ADJ-GRADED When something is level, it is completely flat with no part higher than any other.The floor was level, but the ceiling sloped toward his head.
...a plateau of fairly level ground.
7) ADV: ADV after v If you draw level with someone or something, you get closer to them until you are by their side. [mainly BRIT]Just before we drew level with the gates, he slipped out of the jeep and disappeared into the crowd...
When the car had pulled level with him, he had spoken into the lowered passenger window.
ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with nLevel is also an adjective.He waited until they were level with the door before he pivoted around sharply and punched Graham hard on the side of the head.
8) ADV: ADV after v If you draw level with someone, you manage to improve your performance until it is the same as theirs, by scoring the same number of points or goals as them.Napoli have drawn level with AC Milan at the top of the Italian league.
ADJ: usu v-link ADJLevel is also an adjective.The teams were level at the end of extra time.
9) VERB In sport, if a player or team levels the score, they score a goal or win some points so that their team has the same number of points or goals as the opposing team.[V n] Iglesias scored twice to level the score...
[V n] The Cincinnati Reds have levelled the score in the National League play-off against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
10) ADJ-GRADED If you keep your voice level, you speak in a deliberately calm and unemotional way. [WRITTEN]He forced his voice to remain level...
When Julie speaks of her disability, she talks in the same calm, level tones she uses to discuss her A level prospects.
11) VERB If someone or something such as a violent storm levels a building or area of land, they destroy it completely or make it completely flat.[V n] Further tremors could level more buildings...
[V n] The storm was the most powerful to hit Hawaii this century. It leveled sugar plantations and destroyed homes.
12) VERB If an accusation or criticism is levelled at someone, they are accused of doing wrong or they are criticized for something they have done.[be V-ed at/against n] Allegations of corruption were levelled at him and his family...
13) VERB If you level an object at someone or something, you lift it and point it in their direction.[V n at n] He said thousands of Koreans still levelled guns at one another along the demilitarised zone between them. [Also V n]
14) VERB If you level with someone, you tell them the truth and do not keep anything secret. [INFORMAL][V with n] I'll level with you. I'm no great detective. I've no training or anything...
[V with n] He has leveled with the American people about his role in the affair.
15) → See also A level16) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf (emphasis) If you say that you will do your level best to do something, you are emphasizing that you will try as hard as you can to do it, even if the situation makes it very difficult.The President told American troops that he would do his level best to bring them home soon.
17) PHRASE: v-link PHR If you say that someone or something is on the level, you mean that they are sincere or honest, and are not attempting to deceive people. [INFORMAL]There were probably moments when you wondered if anyone spoke the truth or was on the level.
18) a level playing field → see playing fieldPhrasal Verbs:
English dictionary. 2008.
