# level

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈlɛv.l̩/ · frequency rank #377

## Definitions
1. The same height at all places; parallel to a flat ground.
2. At the same height as some reference; constructed as level with.
3. Unvaried in frequency.
4. Unvaried in volume.
5. Calm.
6. In the same position or rank.
7. Straightforward; direct; clear.
8. Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial.
9. Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection; monotonic.
10. Perpendicular to a gravitational force.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *leyH-der.
Proto-Indo-European *-dʰromder.
Proto-Italic *līðrā?
Latin lībra
Proto-Indo-European *-lós
Proto-Italic *-elos
Latin -lus
Latin libella
Old French nivel
Old French livelbor.
Middle English level
English level
From Middle English level, from Old French livel, liveau m, later nivel, niveau, from Latin libella f (“a balance, a level”), diminutive of libra f (“a balance, a level”); see libra, librate. Doublet of libella and niveau.
The verb is from Middle English levelen, from the noun.

## Easily confused with
- **love** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-love)
- **live** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-live)
- **levy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-levy)
- **Levi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-levi)
- **lives** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lives)
- **loved** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-loved)
- **lived** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lived)
- **loves** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-loves)
- **lover** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lover)
- **liver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-liver)
- **lever** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lever)
- **levin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-levin)
- **libel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-libel)
- **Lewes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lewes)
- **lovey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lovey)
- **liven** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-liven)
- **Levis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-levis)
- **lovely** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lovely)
- **lively** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lively)
- **Lovell** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/level-vs-lovell)

## Common misspellings (7)
`elvel`, `leevl`, `levell`, `levle`, `levvel`, `llevel`, `lveel`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/level