level

Universal Words noun, adjective, verb noun amount 1 [C] the amount of sth that exists in a particular situation at a particular time: relatively low levels of unemployment / crime * a test that checks the level of alcohol in the blood * high stress / pollution levels standard 2 [C,U] a particular standard or quality: a high level of achievement / intelligence * a computer game with 15 levels * What is the level of this course? * He studied French to degree level. * Both players are on a level (= of the same standard). * I refuse to sink to their level (= behave as badly as them). seealsoALEVEL rank in scale 3 [U,C] a position or rank in a scale of size or importance: a decision taken at board / cabinet level * Discussions are currently being held at national level. point of view 4 [C] a particular way of looking at, reacting to or understanding sth: On a more personal level, I would like to thank Jean for all the help she has given me. * Fables can be understood on various levels. height 5 [C,U] the height of sth in relation to the ground or to what it used to be: the level of water in the bottle * The cables are buried one metre below ground level. * The flood water nearly reached roof level. * The tables are not on a level (= the same height). seealsoEYELEVEL, SEALEVEL floor / layer 6 [C] a floor of a building; a layer of ground: The library is all on one level. * Archaeologists found pottery in the lowest level of the site. * a multi-level parking lot seealsoSPLIT-LEVEL tool 7 [C] = SPIRITLEVEL IDIOMS on the level (AmE also on the up and up) (informal) honest; legal: I'm not convinced he's on the level. * Are you sure this deal is on the level? adjective flat 1 having a flat surface that does not slope: Pitch the tent on level ground. * Add a level tablespoon of flour (= enough to fill the spoon but not so much that there is a round heap on the spoon). compareHEAPED equal 2 ~ (with sth) having the same height, position, value, etc. as sth: Are these pictures level? * This latest rise is intended to keep wages level with inflation. * She drew level with (= came beside) the police car. 3 ~ (with sb) (especially BrE, sport) having the same score as sb: A good second round brought him level with the tournament leader. * France took an early lead but Wales soon drew level (= scored the same number of points). voice / look 4 not showing any emotion; steady SYNEVEN: a level gaze seealsoLEVELLY IDIOMS be level pegging (BrE) having the same score: The contestants were level pegging after round 3. do / try your level best (to do sth) to do as much as you can to try to achieve sth a level playing field a situation in which everyone has the same opportunities verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) make flat 1 [VN] ~ sth (off / out) to make sth flat or smooth: If you're laying tiles, the floor will need to be levelled first. destroy 2 [VN] to destroy a building or a group of trees completely by knocking it down: The blast levelled several buildings in the area. make equal 3 to make sth equal or similar: [VN] (BrE) Davies levelled the score at 2 all. [also V] point 4 [VN] ~ sth (at sb) to point sth, especially a gun, at sb: I had a gun levelled at my head. IDIOMS level the playing field to create a situation where everyone has the same opportunities PHRASALVERBS level sth against / at sb to say publicly that sb is to blame for sth, especially a crime or a mistake: The speech was intended to answer the charges levelled against him by his opponents. level sth<->down to make standards, amounts, etc. be of the same low or lower level: Teachers are accused of levelling standards down to suit the needs of less able students. level off / out 1 to stop rising or falling and remain horizontal: The plane levelled off at 1500 feet. * After the long hill, the road levelled out. 2 to stay at a steady level of development or progress after a period of sharp rises or falls: Sales have levelled off after a period of rapid growth. level sth<->up to make standards, amounts, etc. be of the same high or higher level level with sb (informal) to tell sb the truth and not hide any unpleasant facts from them