level
/'levl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A position on a scale of height, amount, or quality: A specific point or stage in a graded series or process.
- A horizontal plane or line: A flat, even surface or a position at a particular height.
- A relative position or rank in a graded group: A position in a hierarchy or system of classification.
- An abstract place or layer of thought or meaning: A particular depth or layer of understanding or communication.
Adjective:
- Having a flat, horizontal surface: Not sloping or tilted; even.
- Being at the same height or position as something else: Equal in position, value, or degree.
- Not showing abrupt variations; steady and calm: Even and unvarying in tone, emotion, or manner.
Verb:
- To make something flat or even: To remove differences in height or to make a surface smooth.
- To aim or direct something: To point a weapon, criticism, or gaze directly at someone or something.
- To become level or even: To settle into a stable, flat, or consistent state.
- To be frank and honest: To speak openly and without deception.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The water reached a dangerous level. (A position on a scale of height.)
- They are discussing the issue at a diplomatic level. (A rank in a hierarchy.)
- This book operates on many levels. (Layers of meaning.)
Adjective:
- Make sure the table is level before you assemble it. (Having a flat, horizontal surface.)
- The two teams are level in the competition. (Equal in position or score.)
- She spoke in a level voice despite her anger. (Steady and calm.)
Verb:
- They had to level the ground before building. (To make flat.)
- He leveled his gaze at the speaker. (To direct one's eyes.)
- The plane began to level off at 30,000 feet. (To become even in flight.)
- I need to level with you about the problem. (To be frank.)
Advanced Usage
"On the level" (idiomatic): Honest, truthful, and legitimate.
- Is this deal on the level? (Is this deal honest and legitimate?)
"Level off/out": To stop rising or falling and become steady; to stabilize.
- Prices are expected to level off next quarter. (Prices are expected to stop increasing and become steady.)
"Level the playing field" (idiomatic): To create a situation where everyone has the same opportunities.
- The new regulations aim to level the playing field for small businesses. (The regulations aim to give small businesses equal opportunities.)
Variants and Related Words
Leveler (noun): A person or thing that makes things equal.
- Education is often seen as a great leveler in society.
Levelness (noun): The quality or state of being level.
- The levelness of the floor is crucial for the installation.
Synonyms
- Noun: Stage, degree, tier, plane, standard.
- Adjective: Flat, even, smooth, equal, steady.
- Verb: Flatten, smooth, equalize, aim, direct.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Level down: To reduce something to a lower standard to make it equal.
- The policy should not level down the quality of education. (The policy should not reduce the quality to the lowest common standard.)
Level up: To improve something to a higher standard.
- The company is investing to level up its digital skills. (The company is investing to improve its digital skills to a higher standard.)
Level at (someone): To aim criticism or accusations directly at someone.
- Serious allegations were leveled at the former CEO. (Serious accusations were directed at the former CEO.)
Related Idioms
Do one's level best: To try as hard as one possibly can.
- I'll do my level best to finish the project on time. (I will try as hard as I can.)
A level head: The ability to stay calm and think clearly in difficult situations.
- In a crisis, it's important to keep a level head. (It's important to stay calm and think clearly.)
Adjective
- of the score in a contest
- the score is tied
- oriented at right angles to the plumb
- the picture is level
- being on a precise horizontal plane
- a billiard table must be level
- not showing abrupt variations
- spoke in a level voice
- she gave him a level look- Louis Auchincloss
- having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
- a flat desk
- acres of level farmland
- a plane surface
- skirts sewn with fine flat seams
Noun
- a structure consisting of a room or set of rooms at a single position along a vertical scale
- what level is the office on?
- an abstract place usually conceived as having depth
- a good actor communicates on several levels
- a simile has at least two layers of meaning
- the mind functions on many strata simultaneously
- a flat surface at right angles to a plumb line
- park the car on the level
- indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid
- height above ground
- the water reached ankle level
- the pictures were at the same level
- a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process
- a remarkable degree of frankness
- at what stage are the social sciences?
- a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
- lumber of the highest grade
- a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
- a moderate grade of intelligence
- a high level of care is required
- it is all a matter of degree
Verb
- become level or even
- The ground levelled off
- talk frankly with; lay it on the line
- I have to level with you
- direct into a position for use
- point a gun
- He charged his weapon at me
- make level or straight
- level the ground
- tear down so as to make flat with the ground
- The building was levelled
- aim at
- level criticism or charges at somebody