# lever

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈliː.və/ · frequency rank #12,271

## Definitions
1. A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; — used for transmitting and modifying force and motion.
2. A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; — used for transmitting and modifying force and motion.
3. A small such piece to trigger or control a mechanical device (like a switch or a button).
4. A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.
5. An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.
6. A crowbar.

## Etymology
From Middle English lever, levore, levour, from Old French leveor, leveur (“a lifter, lever (also Old French and French levier)”), from Latin levātor (“a lifter”), from levō (“to raise”). Doublet of levator.

## Easily confused with
- **love** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-love)
- **live** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-live)
- **levy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-levy)
- **Levi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-levi)
- **lives** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-lives)
- **lower** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-lower)
- **loved** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-loved)
- **lived** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-lived)
- **loves** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-loves)
- **lover** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-lover)
- **liver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-liver)
- **loser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-loser)
- **liner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-liner)
- **liter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-liter)
- **levin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-levin)
- **loner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-loner)
- **Lewes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-lewes)
- **liber** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-liber)
- **lovey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-lovey)
- **liven** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lever-vs-liven)

## Common misspellings (7)
`elver`, `leevr`, `leverr`, `levre`, `levver`, `llever`, `lveer`

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