Levelling vs. Leveling — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Levelling (British English) and leveling (American English) mean making something flat or even.
Difference Between Levelling and Leveling
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Levelling is the British English spelling for the process of making a surface flat or even. Leveling is the American English variant of the same word. Both words refer to the same action or process but are spelled differently depending on the variant of English used.
Levelling, with two 'l's, follows the British practice of doubling the consonant when adding a suffix to a word that ends in a vowel plus consonant. Leveling, with one 'l', follows the American practice which does not double the consonant if the final syllable of the base word is not stressed.
When someone is levelling criticism at a person or entity in British English, they are being direct and possibly harsh. The term leveling in American English would convey the same meaning in such a context, simply with different spelling.
In terms of grammar and usage, levelling would appear in texts written in British English, such as British newspapers or books. Conversely, leveling would be used in American publications like U.S. newspapers or American editions of books.
In British English, other words that follow this pattern include travelling/traveling, signalling/signaling, and modelling/modeling. In American English, leveling is consistent with this linguistic pattern.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
British English spelling.
American English spelling.
Consonant Doubling
Doubles the 'l' before adding 'ing'.
Does not double the 'l' before 'ing'.
Usage
Used in British English contexts.
Used in American English contexts.
Recognition
Recognized by British English spell checkers.
Recognized by American English spell checkers.
Grammar Consistency
Consistent with British English grammar rules.
Consistent with American English grammar rules.
Compare with Definitions
Levelling
Making a surface flat or even.
The crew is busy levelling the ground for the new building.
Leveling
Directing criticism or accusations.
She's leveling criticisms at the management's policies.
Levelling
Directing criticism or accusations.
He's levelling serious charges against the committee.
Leveling
Adjusting the balance of a situation.
Leveling the playing field is important in competitive sports.
Levelling
Adjusting the balance of a situation.
Levelling the odds can sometimes require strategic changes.
Leveling
Relative position or rank on a scale
The local level of government.
Studying at the graduate level.
Levelling
Levelling (British English) or leveling (American English; see spelling differences) is a branch of surveying, the object of which is to establish or verify or measure the height of specified points relative to a datum. It is widely used in geodesy and cartography to measure geodetic height, and in construction to measure height differences of construction artifacts.
Leveling
A relative degree, as of achievement, intensity, or concentration
An unsafe level of toxicity.
A high level of frustration.
Levelling
Relative position or rank on a scale
The local level of government.
Studying at the graduate level.
Leveling
A natural or proper position, place, or stage
I finally found my own level in the business world.
Levelling
A relative degree, as of achievement, intensity, or concentration
An unsafe level of toxicity.
A high level of frustration.
Leveling
Position along a vertical axis; height or depth
A platform at knee level.
Levelling
A natural or proper position, place, or stage
I finally found my own level in the business world.
Leveling
A horizontal line or plane at right angles to the plumb.
Levelling
Position along a vertical axis; height or depth
A platform at knee level.
Leveling
The position or height of such a line or plane.
Levelling
A horizontal line or plane at right angles to the plumb.
Leveling
A flat, horizontal surface.
Levelling
The position or height of such a line or plane.
Leveling
A land area of uniform elevation.
Levelling
A flat, horizontal surface.
Leveling
An instrument for ascertaining whether a surface is horizontal, vertical, or at a 45° angle, consisting essentially of an encased, liquid-filled tube containing an air bubble that moves to a center window when the instrument is set on an even plane. Also called spirit level.
Levelling
A land area of uniform elevation.
Leveling
Such a device combined with a telescope and used in surveying.
Levelling
An instrument for ascertaining whether a surface is horizontal, vertical, or at a 45° angle, consisting essentially of an encased, liquid-filled tube containing an air bubble that moves to a center window when the instrument is set on an even plane. Also called spirit level.
Leveling
A computation of the difference in elevation between two points by using such a device.
Levelling
Such a device combined with a telescope and used in surveying.
Leveling
Having a flat, smooth surface
A level countertop.
Levelling
A computation of the difference in elevation between two points by using such a device.
Leveling
Being on a horizontal plane
A level field.
Levelling
Having a flat, smooth surface
A level countertop.
Leveling
Being at the same height or position as another; even.
Levelling
Being on a horizontal plane
A level field.
Leveling
Being at the same degree of rank, standing, or advantage as another; equal.
Levelling
Being at the same height or position as another; even.
Leveling
Being or relating to a specified rank or standing. Often used in combination
A lower-level administrator.
Levelling
Being at the same degree of rank, standing, or advantage as another; equal.
Leveling
Exhibiting no abrupt variations; steady
Spoke in a level tone.
Levelling
Being or relating to a specified rank or standing. Often used in combination
A lower-level administrator.
Leveling
Rational and balanced; sensible
Came to a level appraisal of the situation.
Keeps a level head in an emergency.
Levelling
Exhibiting no abrupt variations; steady
Spoke in a level tone.
Leveling
Filled evenly to the top
A level tablespoon of the medicine.
Levelling
Rational and balanced; sensible
Came to a level appraisal of the situation.
Keeps a level head in an emergency.
Leveling
To make horizontal, flat, or even
Leveled the driveway with a roller.
Leveled off the hedges with the clippers.
Levelling
Filled evenly to the top
A level tablespoon of the medicine.
Leveling
To place on the same rank; equalize.
Levelling
To make horizontal, flat, or even
Leveled the driveway with a roller.
Leveled off the hedges with the clippers.
Leveling
To tear down (a building, for example); raze.
Levelling
To place on the same rank; equalize.
Leveling
To knock down, as with a blow; lay low
Leveled the opponent with an uppercut.
Levelling
To tear down (a building, for example); raze.
Leveling
To aim along a horizontal plane
Leveled the gun at the target.
Levelling
To knock down, as with a blow; lay low
Leveled the opponent with an uppercut.
Leveling
To direct emphatically or forcefully toward someone
Leveled charges of dishonesty.
Levelling
To aim along a horizontal plane
Leveled the gun at the target.
Leveling
To measure the different elevations of (a tract of land) with a level.
Levelling
To direct emphatically or forcefully toward someone
Leveled charges of dishonesty.
Leveling
To bring persons or things to an equal level; equalize.
Levelling
To measure the different elevations of (a tract of land) with a level.
Leveling
To aim a weapon horizontally.
Levelling
To bring persons or things to an equal level; equalize.
Leveling
(Informal) To be frank and open
Advised the suspect to level with the authorities.
Levelling
To aim a weapon horizontally.
Leveling
Along a flat or even line or plane.
Levelling
(Informal) To be frank and open
Advised the suspect to level with the authorities.
Leveling
(US) level
Levelling
Along a flat or even line or plane.
Leveling
The process of making something level.
Levelling
Present participle of level
Leveling
The process of measuring levels to establish heights and altitudes.
Levelling
Reducing to a common status or standard.
The new policy aims at levelling the playing field for all students.
Leveling
The act or operation of making level.
Levelling
Removing disparities or inequalities.
The program is focused on levelling income differences in the region.
Leveling
The art or operation of using a leveling instrument for finding a horizontal line, for ascertaining the differences of level between different points of the earth's surface included in a survey, for establishing grades, etc., as in finding the descent of a river, or locating a line of railroad.
Leveling
Changing the ground level to a smooth horizontal or gently sloping surface
Leveling
Complete destruction of a building
Leveling
The act of making equal or uniform
Leveling
Making a surface flat or even.
Contractors are leveling the concrete before it dries.
Leveling
Reducing to a common status or standard.
The teacher is leveling expectations for all students.
Leveling
Removing disparities or inequalities.
The new law aims at leveling wealth disparities across cities.
Common Curiosities
Is leveling only associated with physical surfaces?
No, it can also refer to equalizing conditions or opportunities.
Why does levelling have two 'l's and leveling only one?
British English doubles the 'l' before a suffix; American English does not.
In which English-speaking countries would I see 'levelling' used?
Countries like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand use 'levelling'.
What is the main difference between levelling and leveling?
"Levelling" is British English, "leveling" is American English.
Can levelling also mean reducing inequalities?
Yes, it can mean making conditions equal for everyone.
Can both levelling and leveling be used in academic writing?
Yes, depending on the standard form of English required.
How can I remember whether to use leveling or levelling?
Think of the 'e' in "America" for one 'l' and 'e' in "England" for double 'l'.
Is the meaning of leveling different in video games?
In gaming, leveling refers to advancing to a higher level or rank.
Are there any exceptions to the leveling/levelling rule?
The rule is consistent with the respective British and American spelling conventions.
Does the context change when using levelling vs leveling?
No, the context remains the same, only the spelling changes.
Is one spelling more correct than the other?
Neither is more correct; it depends on the form of English being used.
Is the pronunciation of leveling and levelling different?
No, they are pronounced the same way.
How do publishers decide between leveling and levelling?
They usually follow the spelling norms of their target audience's region.
Can I use leveling in British English if I explain it's American English?
Yes, but it is advisable to stick to one form for consistency.
Are there any online tools to help with British vs. American spelling?
Yes, there are various spell checkers and language setting tools available.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
