Meaning & use
level up
Last updated
Meanings
verbintransitiveinformal
To improve your skills or status to a higher level, especially in a game or in life.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'in' or 'to': level up in a game, level up to the next rank.
Patterns
- level up in something
- level up to something
He spent the weekend leveling up in his favorite online game.
She leveled up in her career by taking extra courses.
To level up to the next rank, you need more experience points.
verbtransitiveinformal
To make something better or more advanced.
Grammar: Takes an object: level up your skills, level up the design.
Patterns
- level up something
The company is leveling up its customer service.
You should level up your resume before applying for jobs.
Word forms
| third person singular | levels up |
|---|---|
| past tense | leveled up |
| past participle | leveled up |
| present participle | leveling up |
Common combinations
- level up your skills
- Take this course to level up your skills.
- level up in a game
- He leveled up in the game after defeating the boss.
- level up to the next level
- She leveled up to the next level by practicing every day.
- level up your career
- Networking can help you level up your career.
Synonyms and how they differ
- improve
- More formal and general; 'level up' is informal and often suggests a clear step to a higher stage.
- advance
- Often used for careers or positions; 'level up' is more playful and common in gaming.
- upgrade
- Usually used for equipment or systems; 'level up' is used for people or skills.
Opposites
Word family
- level noun
- A stage or standard in a game, skill, or system.
- leveling up noun
- The process of improving or advancing to a higher level.
Commonly confused: level up or level?
level up vs level
As a verb, 'level' means to make something flat or equal; 'level up' means to improve or advance.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'level up' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Level up' means to improve or advance, especially in a game. The other options use 'level' in its literal sense of making something flat, which is a different verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “level up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.