Definition of level

Short definition: The word level means a stage, degree, or amount of something, often used to show how high, low, easy, or difficult something is. People use it to compare skills, progress, or conditions in many situations.

Looking for a clear and real-life explanation of the word level? The word level appears in many parts of daily life—from describing floors in a building, stages in a game, and degrees of skill, to emotional balance and fair treatment. It’s one of those words that quietly connects physical space, personal growth, and social situations. Below, each meaning is explained in a relaxed, natural way with long examples that reflect how people truly use it.

Verb forms: level, levels, leveling, leveled
Related: leveler n., leveling n., level-headed adj.
Syllable: lev-el

1. (Noun) A specific height, position, or floor in a building or structure.
   Their office is on the top level of the building, which gives them a great view of the city every morning.
   We parked the car on the second level of the garage, hoping it would be easier to find later.
   The library has a quiet reading area on the upper level, where students can focus without distractions.

   Synonyms: floor, story, tier, stage, layer, platform, deck, rank, plane, stratum, elevation, section
   Antonyms: basement, ground, bottom, base, lowest point, foundation, depth, pit, bottom level, underground, cellar, sublevel

2. (Noun) A degree of skill, ability, knowledge, or achievement.
   Her English has reached a level where she feels confident speaking with native speakers.
   This course is designed for students at an advanced level, so beginners might find it challenging.
   He worked hard to raise his fitness level before the marathon.

   Synonyms: standard, degree, stage, rank, grade, tier, proficiency, competence, ability, standing, status, attainment
   Antonyms: beginner stage, inexperience, low skill, incompetence, weakness, inability, novice level, poor standard, deficiency, lack, underachievement, limitation

3. (Noun) The amount or quantity of something that can rise or fall.
   Stress levels increased significantly during the busiest weeks of the project.
   The noise level in the room made it hard to concentrate on work.
   They regularly check the water level to prevent flooding.

   Synonyms: amount, degree, intensity, extent, measure, rate, volume, concentration, magnitude, proportion, scale, quantity
   Antonyms: zero level, minimum, emptiness, absence, none, lack, deficiency, scarcity, shortage, insufficiency, low point, depletion

4. (Adjective) Flat, even, or balanced—not sloping or uneven.
   Make sure the table is level before placing the glass on it.
   He used a tool to check whether the picture frame was perfectly level.
   The road becomes level after a long uphill climb.

   Synonyms: flat, even, balanced, smooth, straight, horizontal, steady, aligned, equal, uniform, flush, true
   Antonyms: uneven, slanted, tilted, crooked, sloped, bumpy, irregular, inclined, wobbly, off-balance, warped, misaligned

5. (Verb) To make something flat, even, or equal in height.
   The workers leveled the ground before building the house foundation.
   He leveled the shelves so everything would sit neatly.
   The storm leveled several old trees, changing the landscape completely.

   Synonyms: flatten, smooth out, even out, balance, align, straighten, make flat, equalize, plane, grade, adjust, trim
   Antonyms: raise unevenly, tilt, distort, warp, unbalance, make uneven, disrupt, roughen, slope, incline, displace, misalign

6. (Verb) To make people equal in status, opportunity, or treatment.
   Education helps level opportunities, giving everyone a fair chance to succeed.
   New policies aim to level the playing field between small businesses and large corporations.
   Technology has leveled communication, allowing people from different backgrounds to connect easily.

   Synonyms: equalize, balance, standardize, even out, make fair, harmonize, normalize, bring to the same level, reduce gaps, remove barriers, unify, democratize
   Antonyms: discriminate, unbalance, favor unfairly, create gaps, widen inequality, separate, divide, marginalize, exclude, bias, privilege, stratify

7. (Figurative) A state of emotional balance or mental calm.
   After a deep breath, she felt her emotions return to a steady level, allowing her to respond calmly.
   He tries to keep his stress level low by exercising regularly.
   Staying on an even emotional level helps him handle difficult situations better.

   Synonyms: balance, calm, stability, steadiness, composure, equilibrium, control, serenity, peace of mind, emotional balance, evenness, self-control
   Antonyms: chaos, imbalance, instability, stress, anxiety, tension, panic, agitation, emotional swings, turmoil, restlessness, volatility