Idioms for level
Origin of level
1300–50; Middle English (noun and v.), variant of
livel (noun) < Middle French < Vulgar Latin
*lībellum, for Latin
lībella plummet line, level, diminutive of
lībra balance, scales; for formation, see
castellum
SYNONYMS FOR level
1, 2
flush.
Level,
even,
flat,
smooth suggest a uniform surface without marked unevenness. That which is
level is parallel to the horizon:
a level surface; A billiard table must be level.
Flat is applied to any plane surface free from marked irregularities:
a flat roof. With reference to land or country,
flat connotes lowness or unattractiveness;
level does not suggest anything derogatory. That which is
even is free from irregularities, though not necessarily level or plane:
an even land surface with no hills.
Smooth suggests a high degree of evenness in any surface, especially to the touch and sometimes to the sight:
as smooth as silk.
19 smooth, flatten.
21 raze, demolish, destroy.
23 equalize.
26 direct.
OTHER WORDS FROM level
Words nearby level
British Dictionary definitions for on the level
level
/ (ˈlɛvəl) /
adjective
verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled
noun
Derived forms of level
levelly, adverb levelness, nounWord Origin for level
C14: from Old French
livel, from Vulgar Latin
lībellum (unattested), from Latin
lībella, diminutive of
lībra scales
Medical definitions for on the level
level
[ lĕv′əl ]
n.
Relative position or rank on a graded scale, such as mental or emotional development.
A relative degree, as of intensity or concentration.
Cultural definitions for on the level
on the level
Honest, without deception: “We doubted that the offer could be genuine, but it turned out to be on the level.”
Idioms and Phrases with on the level (1 of 2)
on the level
Honest, straightforward, sincere, as in You can believe her—she's on the level. This expression may have come from Freemasonry, where the carpenter's level symbolizes integrity. [Late 1800s]
Idioms and Phrases with on the level (2 of 2)
level