First recorded in 1925–30; noun use of verb phrase level off
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
China has pledged to level-off carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 16, 2023
Critics say that despite the administration's rhetorical stress on targeting those with criminal records and a level-off in illegal immigration, programs such as Secure Communities are in practice leading to unjust deportations.
From Reuters ● Sep. 20, 2011
However, if higher leakage rates persist, emissions level off around 2045 and only drop by about 50 percent by 2100.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 16, 2026
In February, Puig cautioned that it expects growth in the fragrance market to level off this year following a boom of perfume sales after the pandemic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 24, 2026
He brought us up another level, off the pitch as well as on it, because he is such a big character and the players bounced off him so well.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2026
Though auto-insurance prices are projected to level off in 2026, lower insurance-company profits may push more costs onto consumers.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 23, 2025
But steadily, steadily, the steep incline did level off.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
