lever
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for lever, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A rigid bar that pivots on a fixed point, used to lift or move something with less effort.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use lever
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French levier, "a lifter," from Latin levare, "to raise."
Full origin of lever →Frequently asked questions
What does “lever” mean?
The word “lever” means a rigid bar that pivots on a fixed point, used to lift or move something with less effort. In plain terms, a bar used to lift or shift something by pivoting it against a fixed point, or the handle that operates a machine.
How do you pronounce “lever”?
“Lever” is pronounced LEE-vuh (/ˈlɛv.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lever” in a sentence?
Here is “lever” used in a sentence: “He used a metal bar as a lever to pry the rock loose.”
What is another word for “lever”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lever” include jimmy.
What part of speech is “lever”?
Depending on how it is used, “lever” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lever” come from?
The word “lever” comes from Latin. From Old French levier, "a lifter," from Latin levare, "to raise.".
Is “lever” a common word?
“Lever” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lever” have?
“Lever” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rigid bar that pivots on a fixed point, used to lift or move something with less effort.
What is the difference between a lever and a fulcrum?
A lever is the rigid bar itself that is used to lift or move something, while the fulcrum is the fixed point on which that bar pivots. The lever cannot function without a fulcrum to rotate around.
What is the difference between a lever and a pulley?
A lever uses a rigid bar pivoting on a fixed point to multiply force, while a pulley uses a wheel and rope or cable to change the direction of force or lift a load. Both are simple machines but work through different mechanical principles.
What does it mean to lever something figuratively?
Used figuratively, to lever something means to use a particular advantage, resource, or piece of information to force a result, similar to how a physical lever forces movement with less effort, as in 'lever open a negotiation.'