What does leveller mean?
A leveller is someone who seeks to remove social, political, or economic inequalities, particularly disparities in status, privilege, or opportunity. The term became historically important in the 17th century, when members of the English Leveller movement argued for political equality and wider participation in government. In modern usage, it most often describes an advocate of equal treatment or opportunity, though it can sometimes sound critical, implying that the person is trying to eliminate hierarchy too forcefully. A second, more specialized meaning refers to a tool used to establish that a surface is level. The traditional spelling is leveller in British English; American English more commonly uses leveler. Despite its association with equality, the word does not necessarily imply that every traditional distinction should disappear: its central idea is that people should not be denied fair treatment because of inherited privilege or unequal circumstances.
nounA leveller is a person who advocates greater social, political, or economic equality. Historically, a Leveller was a member of a 17th-century English political movement that sought a more equal political order; in specialist contexts, the word can also refer to a tool used to make a surface level.
- A person who advocates social, political, or economic equality.
- A member of the 17th-century English Leveller movement, which advocated political equality and wider participation in government.
- A tool or instrument used to make a surface level.
"The young lawyer became known as a leveller because he challenged the privileges of the aristocracy."
"The speech was delivered by a prominent political leveller."
"The mason checked the wall with a leveller before applying the final coat."
The standard British plural is levellers; the US spelling gives levelers.
"Several political levellers addressed the meeting from the platform."
The 17th-century Levellers wanted to level the political playing field long before that phrase became a modern slogan.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does leveller come from?
The word was formed in English by adding the agentive suffix -er to level, producing a term for someone or something that levels. Level itself came through Old French from the Latin libella, a diminutive of libra, meaning a balance or small balance sheet. The political sense developed in the 17th century from the name given to members of the Leveller movement. The same Latin family also produced words such as libel, library, and libretto.
How leveller is actually used
In political contexts, the word can be neutral or approving, but it may also suggest an aggressive or radical approach to equality. The historical name Leveller is normally capitalized when referring to members of the political movement.
Easily confused with leveller
Leveller is the standard British spelling, while leveler is the usual American spelling of the same word.