Word of the Day: Level
If something is level, it’s flat. The surface is not higher or lower in any area. It’s important for certain things to be level.
- A kitchen counter is a level surface on which to prepare food.
- The foundation for a new house needs to be level.
- The width of a street from left to right should be level.
- If something is not level, it might cause problems.
- We had to return a table to the store because the table wasn’t level.
When the word “level” is used as a noun, it indicates a degree of accomplishment or a physical height.
- On which floor level is the office?
- A parking garage usually has several levels.
- We reached a level of understanding after some disagreement.
- Grocery stores put as much food at eye level as possible so that customers can easily find it. (eye level = at the height of one’s eye)
- Which level are you working on for this website?
- Most students begin studying English on the Blue Level.
- Construction workers use a device called a level to determine if a surface is straight or has an even height.
The word “level” is also used as a verb:
| simple | past | past participle |
|---|---|---|
|
level
|
leveled
|
leveled
|
- Construction workers level fresh concrete after it has been poured from a truck.
- A tornado leveled a house in our neighborhood. (level = destroy; flatten)
- Technology levels the playing field for people from other countries who compete with Americans.
There are some expressions that make use of the word “level.”
- Is this guy on the level? (Is he honest?)
- Do you want me to level with you? (Do you want me to tell you the truth, or what I think is the truth?)
- It’s important for the employees to feel they have a level playing field when negotiating with management. (a level playing field = a fair situation)
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with L page to see the list of all words starting with letter L. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
