WordGarden.ioleveler
B1Pronunciation
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Meanings
Noun
a tool, machine, or fitting used to make something level or even
something that reduces differences or advantages and makes people or situations more equal
a person who favors reducing political, social, or economic inequality
Beyond the definition
This word does not always refer to making ground flat. It can also mean anything that makes people or conditions more equal, whether in opportunity, wealth, or the playing field. A good education, for example, is often called a great leveler because it gives people from different backgrounds a better chance to succeed.
The term comes from the literal act of making land flat and even. Today, though, it is often used in a figurative way. A progressive tax system may be seen as a leveler because it helps reduce the gap between rich and poor. Sometimes even hardship can act this way, since shared struggles can strip away social barriers and bring people together through a common experience.
The word "leveler" refers to an agent or force that reduces differences between things, bringing them closer to an equal state. While it originates from the physical act of making ground flat and uniform, its meaning extends far into the social, political, and philosophical spheres. A leveler aims to diminish disparities, whether in wealth, opportunity, status, or any other area where a significant imbalance exists.
Historically, the term is famously associated with the "Levellers," a radical political movement in 17th-century England during the Civil War. They advocated for popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, and equality before the law, challenging the deeply entrenched power structures of the time. This historical context imbues the word with a sense of striving for fairness and social justice.
In modern usage, we call anything that promotes equity a "leveler." A strong public education system is frequently described as the "great leveler" because it provides a foundation for individuals from all walks of life to thrive. Similarly, universal access to technology or healthcare can act as a leveler, ensuring that basic rights and opportunities are not reserved for the privileged few.
However, the term can also carry a more somber or indiscriminate meaning. In literature and philosophy, forces like death, time, or natural disasters are often described as "the great levelers" because they affect all human beings equally, regardless of their rank, riches, or power. Whether it is a deliberate policy aimed at social reform or a natural force that spares no one, a leveler is ultimately anything that works to flatten differences and create a more uniform landscape.
Examples
- 1
Flooring material
We poured floor leveler over the old concrete before laying the new tiles.
- Phrasefloor leveler
material used to make a floor smooth and even
- 2
Fence building
The crew used a laser leveler to keep the fence posts at the same height.
- 3
Public education
Good public schools can be a leveler for children from very different backgrounds.
- 4
Illness and status
People often say that illness is a great leveler because it can make status and money feel less important.
- Phrasea great leveler
something that makes people seem more equal
See also
Similar
- equalizer
- democratizer
Shades of meaning
- social equalizer
- corrective
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- the great leveler
- a social leveler
- education as a leveler
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- levelernoun
Forms
- levelerspluralnoun