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Synonyms

levelheaded

American  
[lev-uhl-hed-id] / ˈlɛv əlˈhɛd ɪd /

adjective

  1. having common sense and sound judgment; sensible.


Other Word Forms

  • levelheadedly adverb
  • levelheadedness noun

Etymology

Origin of levelheaded

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; level + head + -ed 3

Explanation

If you're levelheaded, you're rational and calm. When two people are arguing bitterly, they often need someone who's unbiased and levelheaded to help them come to a reasonable compromise. A levelheaded decision is one that you make after calm and judicious consideration, and if a company is looking for a levelheaded person to work in a hectic office environment, they want someone who stays unruffled even under pressure. Levelheaded dates from 1869, from the "balanced" sense of level.

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Vocabulary lists containing levelheaded

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Fitting, then, that in “Sentimental Value” she plays the quiet, levelheaded sister serving as the mediator between impulsive Nora and egotistical Gustav.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

He urged them instead to do tele–town halls, where the questions can be moderated and the atmosphere more levelheaded.

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2025

Cohen is playing the long game, as should the levelheaded among us, anticipating that this Santos obsession is a fever that will break if it doesn’t kill us.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2023

But while Mangold winks at the absurdity, he directs in such a levelheaded way that the thing never descends to outright comedy.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2023

Her own mother, the most levelheaded Olympian, was reduced to a raving, vicious scatterbrain in a subway station.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan