- 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 it goes above the level of the edge of the spoon).
Extra ExamplesTopics Buildingsb1- Keep the pot level, or you'll spill the coffee.
- Make sure you get the shelf level before screwing it in.
- The floor has got to be absolutely level.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- look
- seem
- …
- absolutely
- completely
- approximately
- …
Definitions on the go
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- having the same height, position, value, etc. as something
- Are these pictures level?
- The unemployment rate remained level in November.
- level with something This latest rise is intended to keep wages level with inflation.
- He bent down so that his eyes were nearly level with hers.
- She drew level with (= came beside) the police car.
- The water came level with the top of her boots.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- come
- draw
- …
- almost
- nearly
- with
- level (with somebody) (especially British English, sport) having the same score as somebody
- A good second round brought him level with the tournament leader.
- England fought well to stay on level terms.
- France took an early lead but Wales soon drew level (= scored the same number of points).
Extra Examples- The score was level at 5 points each.
- The clubs are level on points.
- He went into the last match on level points with Jones.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- come
- draw
- …
- almost
- nearly
- with
- not showing any emotion; steady synonym even
- a level gaze
flat
equal
voice/look
Word OriginMiddle English (denoting an instrument to determine whether a surface is horizontal): from Old French livel, based on Latin libella, diminutive of libra ‘scales, balance’.
Idioms
See level in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee level in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbe level pegging
- (British English) to have an equal or even score
- The contestants were level pegging after round 3.
- Five minutes later it was level pegging when Kane banged in the equalizer.
do/try your level best (to do something)
- to do as much as you can to try to achieve somethingTopics Successc2
a level playing field
- a situation in which everyone has the same opportunities
Check pronunciation:
level