A1 noun #240 le plus courant 2 min de lecture

level

A level is a position on a scale or a floor in a building.

Explanation at your level:

A level is a place. You can be on the first level of a building. You can also play a game and finish a level. It is easy to use!

Use level to talk about height or progress. For example, 'The water level is high.' You can also talk about your school level. It is a very common word in English.

In this stage, you use level for abstract ideas. Talk about your 'stress level' or 'energy level.' It helps describe how much of something exists. It is very useful for explaining your feelings or progress.

At this stage, you encounter collocations like 'at a high level' or 'a significant level of.' You also learn idioms like 'a level playing field.' It is essential for professional and academic writing.

Use level to discuss complex data or social structures. You might analyze 'socio-economic levels' or 'the level of discourse in a debate.' It allows for precise communication about intensity and rank.

Mastery involves understanding the nuance of level in literary and technical contexts. From the 'level of consciousness' in philosophy to the 'level of detail' in architectural design, it serves as a cornerstone for sophisticated expression. Its etymological roots in balance provide a metaphor for precision in academic discourse.

Mot en 30 secondes

  • Position on a scale.
  • Floor in a building.
  • Stage in a game.
  • Can be a verb.

When we talk about a level, we are usually describing a place where something sits on a scale. Think of a thermometer; the mercury rises to a certain level to show the temperature. It is a very versatile word that helps us organize our world.

You can use it to describe physical heights, like the different floors of a shopping mall. You can also use it for abstract concepts, such as your level of expertise in a subject. Whether you are talking about a video game stage or a person's stress level, this word keeps things organized and clear.

The word level has a fascinating journey through history. It comes from the Old French word livel, which traces back to the Latin libella, meaning a 'little balance' or a 'plumb line' used by builders.

Originally, it was a tool used by masons to ensure a surface was perfectly horizontal. Over centuries, the meaning expanded from a literal tool to a metaphorical way of describing any position on a scale. It is a great example of how a practical, physical object can eventually represent abstract ideas like social status or skill.

In daily life, level is used constantly. We often pair it with adjectives like high, low, or expert. For example, you might say, 'The water level is rising,' or 'She has an advanced level of English.'

In formal settings, it is used to discuss data or metrics, such as 'production levels' or 'income levels.' It is a neutral word, meaning it works just as well in a casual chat with friends as it does in a boardroom presentation.

Idioms make language colorful! 1. Level playing field: A situation where everyone has the same chances. 2. On the level: Being honest or truthful. 3. Level with someone: To be completely honest with a person. 4. Keep a level head: To remain calm in a crisis. 5. Sink to a new level: To behave worse than before.

The word level is a regular noun. Its plural form is simply levels. You can use it with articles: 'The level is high' or 'A level of concern.'

Pronunciation varies slightly between British and American English, but generally, the stress is on the first syllable: LEV-ul. It rhymes with devil, bevel, and revel. Remember that it functions as both a noun and a verb, which makes it very powerful in your vocabulary toolkit.

Fun Fact

The tool used by builders for centuries is the ancestor of this word.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈlev.əl/

Short e sound.

US /ˈlev.əl/

Clear l sound at the end.

Common Errors

  • pronouncing the second syllable as 'el'
  • stressing the second syllable
  • swallowing the final l

Rhymes With

devil bevel revel travel gravel

Difficulty Rating

Lecture 1/5

Easy

Writing 2/5

Moderate

Speaking 2/5

Moderate

Écoute 1/5

Easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

up down high low

Learn Next

standard rank status

Avanc

equilibrium parity

Grammar to Know

Noun Plurals

level -> levels

Examples by Level

1

This is level one.

This is floor one.

Demonstrative pronoun.

2

...

3

...

4

...

5

...

6

...

7

...

8

...

1

The water level is low.

2

I am on level two.

3

What is your skill level?

4

The game has ten levels.

5

He is on the top level.

6

The noise level is high.

7

Check the oil level.

8

She reached a new level.

1

His stress level is rising.

2

We need to maintain this level.

3

They are at the same level.

4

The level of service was great.

5

She works at a high level.

6

The price level is stable.

7

I cannot reach that level.

8

The level of detail is amazing.

1

It created a level playing field.

2

He kept a level head during the fire.

3

I will level with you about the truth.

4

The company operates at a global level.

5

The level of support was unprecedented.

6

We need to level the ground.

7

Her level of expertise is unmatched.

8

The debate reached a new level of intensity.

1

The level of discourse was remarkably high.

2

We must address the level of inequality.

3

The policy operates on a structural level.

4

His level of commitment is inspiring.

5

The level of complexity is daunting.

6

They analyzed the level of risk.

7

The level of participation was low.

8

It exists on a metaphysical level.

1

The level of nuance in her argument is profound.

2

We must calibrate the instrument to a precise level.

3

The level of systemic corruption is alarming.

4

He assessed the level of existential dread.

5

The level of craftsmanship is exquisite.

6

The level of abstraction makes it difficult.

7

They reached a level of mutual understanding.

8

The level of atmospheric pressure is critical.

Antonymes

extremity outlier

Collocations courantes

high level
low level
skill level
energy level
noise level
water level
price level
reach a level
maintain a level
at a level
on a level

Idioms & Expressions

"level playing field"

fair competition

New laws created a level playing field.

neutral

""

""

""

""

""

Easily Confused

level vs floor

both refer to surfaces

floor is specific to buildings

The first floor vs the first level.

level vs

level vs

level vs

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + verb + level

He increased the level.

Famille de mots

Nouns

leveling the act of making flat

Verbs

level to make flat

Adjectives

level flat or even

Apparenté

leveled past tense

How to Use It

frequency

9

Formality Scale

academic neutral casual slang

Erreurs courantes

leveling with someone level with someone
It is a phrasal verb, not a continuous action.
confusing level with floor
using level as an adverb
pluralizing incorrectly
wrong preposition usage

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Visualize a ladder.

💡

Native Use

Used for progress.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Fairness concept.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Regular noun.

💡

Say It Right

Stress the first.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use as adverb.

💡

Did You Know?

Latin roots.

💡

Study Smart

Use in context.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'level' tool being 'level' (flat).

Visual Association

A carpenter's spirit level.

Word Web

height flat stage rank

Défi

Use 'level' in 3 sentences today.

Origine du mot

Latin

Original meaning: little balance

Contexte culturel

None

Commonly used in sports and business.

Level Up (song) Level 5 (video games)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

gaming

  • next level
  • beat the level
  • level up

Conversation Starters

"What is your current English level?"

"Do you like video games with many levels?"

"How do you keep a level head?"

"What is your energy level today?"

Journal Prompts

Describe your current level of studies.

Write about a time you kept a level head.

What is your favorite game level?

How do you maintain a level of balance in life?

Questions fréquentes

8 questions

Yes, to level something means to make it flat.

Teste-toi

fill blank A1

The water ___ is rising.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : level

Level refers to height.

multiple choice A2

Which means a stage in a game?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : level

Levels are stages.

true false B1

A level playing field means unfairness.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Faux

It means fairness.

match pairs B1

Word

Signification

All matched!

Matching meanings.

sentence order B2

Touche les mots ci-dessous pour construire la phrase
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Idiom structure.

Score : /5

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