level

1. having no part higher than another; having a flat or even surface.

   Synonyms: flush

   Antonyms: uneven

2. being in a plane parallel to the plane of the horizon; horizontal.

   Synonyms: flush

   Antonyms: vertical

3. equal, as one thing with another or two or more things with one another.
4. even, equable, or uniform.
5. filled to a height even with the rim of a container:

   a level teaspoon of salt.

6. mentally well-balanced; sensible; rational:

   to keep a level head in a crisis.

1. a device used for determining or adjusting something to a horizontal surface.
2. Surveying.
   1. Also called sur·vey·or's lev·el. an instrument for observing levels, having a sighting device, usually telescopic, and capable of being made precisely horizontal.
   2. an observation made with this instrument.
   3. spirit level.
3. an imaginary line or surface everywhere at right angles to the plumb line.
4. the horizontal line or plane in which anything is situated, with regard to its elevation.
5. a horizontal position or condition.
6. an extent of land approximately horizontal and unbroken by irregularities.
7. a level or flat surface.
8. a position with respect to a given or specified height:

   The water rose to a level of 30 feet.

9. a position or plane in a graded scale of values; status; rank: They associated only with those on their own economic level.

   His acting was on the level of an amateur.

   They associated only with those on their own economic level.

10. an extent, measure, or degree of intensity, achievement, etc.:

    a high level of sound; an average level of writing skill.

11. Linguistics. a major subdivision of linguistic structure, as phonology, morphology, or syntax, often viewed as hierarchically ordered. Compare component ( def 6a ), stratum ( def 8 ).
12. Mining. the interconnected horizontal mine workings at a particular elevation or depth:

    There had been a cave-in on the 1,500-foot level.

13. (in a video game or role-playing game)
    1. a discrete section in game design or narrative that ends with a culminating event, as a boss battle.
    2. character level ( def ).

1. to make (a surface) level, even, or flat:

   to level ground before building.

   Synonyms: flatten, smooth

2. to raise or lower to a particular level or position; to make horizontal.
3. to bring (something) to the level of the ground; raze:

   They leveled the trees to make way for the new highway.

   Synonyms: destroy, demolish, raze

4. Informal. to knock down (a person):

   He leveled his opponent with one blow.

5. to make equal, as in status or condition.

   Synonyms: equalize

6. to make even or uniform, as coloring.
7. Historical Linguistics. (of the alternative forms of a paradigm) to reduce in number or regularize:

   Old English “him” (dative) and “hine” (accusative) have been leveled to Modern English “him.”

8. to aim or point (a weapon, criticism, etc.) at a mark or objective:

   He leveled his criticism at the college as a whole.

   Synonyms: direct

9. Surveying. to find the relative elevation of different points in (land), as with a level.

1. to bring things or persons to a common level.
2. to aim a weapon, criticism, etc., at a mark or objective.
3. Surveying.
   1. to take a level.
   2. to use a leveling instrument.
4. to speak truthfully and openly (often followed by with ):

   You're not leveling with me about your trip to Chicago.

5. Obsolete. to direct the mind, purpose, etc., at something.

1. Obsolete. in a level, direct, or even way or line.

verb phrase

1. 1. (in a video game or tabletop game) to obtain a higher character level or skill rank, or improve the quality or performance statistics of an object, as a weapon.
   2. to perform at a higher standard than expected, or show vast improvement: Your date is smokin’ hot—way to level up, bro!

      It’s possible for a small business to level up and land big clients.

      Your date is smokin’ hot—way to level up, bro!

2. 1. Aeronautics. to maintain a constant altitude after a climb or descent.
   2. to become stable; reach a constant or limit.
   3. to make even or smooth.