levied: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Official, Legal, Financial
Quick answer
What does “levied” mean?
Imposed and collected (a tax, fee, or fine) by authority.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Imposed and collected (a tax, fee, or fine) by authority.
To impose or enforce something, such as a charge, penalty, or obligation, often in a formal or official context. Can also refer to the act of raising or gathering (e.g., an army).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and grammar are identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations of official imposition, authority, and compulsion in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to historical and governmental contexts, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “levied” in a Sentence
[Authority] levied [Charge] on [Target/Entity][Charge] was levied on [Target/Entity] by [Authority]to levy [something] against/on/upon [someone/something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “levied” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The local council has levied an additional charge for waste collection.
- A windfall tax was levied on the energy companies' profits.
American English
- The state levied a sales tax on all online purchases.
- The court levied a hefty fine against the corporation.
adjective
British English
- The levied amount must be paid within 30 days.
- There was strong opposition to the newly levied tariff.
American English
- The levied taxes fund public schools.
- The levied import duty made the goods more expensive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The council levied a new business rate on commercial properties.
Academic
The study analysed the economic impact of tariffs levied during the period.
Everyday
A congestion charge is levied on vehicles entering the city centre.
Technical
The regulator levied a substantial penalty for non-compliance with the standards.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “levied”
- Incorrect: 'They levied him a fine.' Correct: 'They levied a fine on him.' or 'A fine was levied against him.'
- Incorrect use of prepositions (e.g., 'levied to' instead of 'levied on/against').
- Confusing 'levied' (past tense) with 'levy' (present/infinitive).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, but it can be used for non-monetary impositions like penalties, obligations, or (historically) armies. The core idea is authoritative imposition.
'Levied' is more formal and official, often used by governments/laws. 'Charged' is broader (banks, shops, people). 'Imposed' is the most general term for applying a rule/burden. 'Levied' often implies the act of both setting and collecting.
Yes, but the passive ('was levied') is more common because the authority (the subject) is often the focus, not the entity collecting it. E.g., 'The authority levied a tax' (active) vs. 'A tax was levied' (passive).
The related noun is 'levy' (e.g., 'a new levy on fuel'). The act of levying is the 'imposition' or 'collection'.
Imposed and collected (a tax, fee, or fine) by authority.
Levied is usually formal, official, legal, financial in register.
Levied: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɛv.id/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɛv.id/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To levy war (archaic/legal: to wage war)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'LEV' in 'levied' as in 'LEVer' – an authority uses a lever to apply pressure and raise (collect) money.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A PARENT (imposing rules/fees), COMMERCE IS WAR (imposing charges/tariffs as an attack).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'levied' LEAST likely to be used?