level

I UK [ˈlev(ə)l] / US noun
Word forms "level":
singular level plural levels
***

1) [countable] the amount of something, especially when it can be counted or measured

Unemployment is now at its lowest level for 15 years.

level of:

The level of inflation has continued to rise.

a high/low level:

There is a very high level of crime in this area.

at a level:

Interest rates will probably remain at the same level for a few more months.

a) the amount of liquid that there is in a container, which can be seen by how high the liquid is

Check the level of fluid in the tank.

Be careful not to let the oil level drop too far.

The river is at its highest level for several years.

b) the amount of a chemical in another substance

A simple blood test is used to measure the level of alcohol in the blood.

The study found quite high levels of mercury in some drinking water.

c) the amount of a feeling that you feel

level of:

I fully understand the level of anger felt by the victims' families.

Many people have to cope with very high levels of stress at work.

2) [countable/uncountable] the standard of someone's ability

He went on to study maths at university level.

This will be her first opportunity to play at international level.

This is an excellent book for advanced level students.

a) the job that someone has in a company or organization, which shows how senior they are

He came into the firm at junior management level.

There will be no pay increases for staff at secretarial level and below.

b) the place that someone has in a society, which shows how rich or important they are

These social changes will affect everyone, at all levels of society.

3) [countable/uncountable] a part or stage in a system that has several parts or stages

Decisions should be taken at local, not national, level.

by the time children reach secondary school level

4) [countable/uncountable] one of the floors in a building

a garage at basement level

5) a part of a computer game that someone must complete before they move to the next stage

6) [countable] mainly American a spirit level

7) [countable/uncountable] a particular height

Raise both arms to shoulder level.

8) [countable] a way of understanding or expressing something

The story can be understood on several different levels.

•

stoop/descend to someone's level — to behave in the same bad way that someone else is behaving

- on the level

- on a personal level

II UK [ˈlev(ə)l] / US adjective **

1) flat, not sloping up or down

We found a nice level spot for a picnic under some pine trees.

a) flat and smooth

If the surface isn't level, the ball won't roll properly.

b) flat, not piled up into a round shape

a level teaspoon/tablespoon:

Add two level teaspoons of salt.

2) at the same height

They stood next to each other so that their shoulders were level.

level with:

My head was level with George's chin.

3) next to someone or something, not behind them or further forwards than them

Make sure the edges are level before you glue them together.

level with:

For most of the race he was level with the leader.

draw level (with):

She slowed down as she drew level with the house.

4) equal in a competition

At half time the two sides were level on 15 points each.

level with:

Leeds United are now level with Arsenal at the top of the league table.

draw level (with):

France drew level with Germany early in the second half.

5) used for describing amounts that have not become more or less

Fuel prices have remained level for the last few months.

6) steady and calm

She spoke in a level tone of voice.

He looked at her with a level gaze.

•

- your level best

Derived word:
levelly
adverb
III UK [ˈlev(ə)l] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "level":
present tense I/you/we/they level he/she/it levels present participle levelling past tense levelled past participle levelled
*

1) to make something flat

Level the ground carefully before you start to lay the paving stones.

2) to destroy a building or group of buildings

Hundreds of houses were levelled by the tornado.

3) to make something equal

James' goal levelled the score at three all.

•

- level the playing field

Phrasal verbs:

- level at

- level off

- level up

- level with