B2 verb Formal

levy

/ˈlevi/

To officially impose or collect a tax, fee, fine, or other legal payment. It usually involves an authority, such as a government or organization, demanding a specific sum of money for a particular purpose.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The city decided to levy a small fee for using the public swimming pool during the weekends.

The city decided to levy a small fee for using the public swimming pool during the weekends.

2

The governing body has the authority to levy fines against members who violate the established code of conduct.

The governing body has the authority to levy fines against members who violate the established code of conduct.

3

The sports club is going to levy a ten-dollar charge on everyone to help pay for the end-of-year party.

The sports club is going to levy a ten-dollar charge on everyone to help pay for the end-of-year party.

Word Family

Noun
levy
Verb
levy
Adjective
leviable
Related
levying
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'L' in Levy as 'Lifting' money out of someone's pocket for the government. It also shares an origin with 'lever' (to raise).

Quick Quiz

The local council voted to ___ a new tax on plastic packaging to encourage recycling.

Correct!

The correct answer is: levy

Examples

1

The city decided to levy a small fee for using the public swimming pool during the weekends.

everyday

The city decided to levy a small fee for using the public swimming pool during the weekends.

2

The governing body has the authority to levy fines against members who violate the established code of conduct.

formal

The governing body has the authority to levy fines against members who violate the established code of conduct.

3

The sports club is going to levy a ten-dollar charge on everyone to help pay for the end-of-year party.

informal

The sports club is going to levy a ten-dollar charge on everyone to help pay for the end-of-year party.

4

Historically, monarchs would frequently levy heavy taxes on the peasantry to fund their extensive overseas wars.

academic

Historically, monarchs would frequently levy heavy taxes on the peasantry to fund their extensive overseas wars.

5

The government announced plans to levy a new carbon tax on industrial emissions starting next fiscal year.

business

The government announced plans to levy a new carbon tax on industrial emissions starting next fiscal year.

Word Family

Noun
levy
Verb
levy
Adjective
leviable
Related
levying

Common Collocations

levy a tax To impose a financial charge
levy a fine To impose a monetary penalty
levy a charge To demand a price for a service
authority to levy The legal right to impose a fee
levy a tariff To impose a tax on imported goods

Common Phrases

levy war

To formally declare or conduct a war

levy a distress

To seize property to satisfy a debt (legal)

levy an execution

To carry out a court order to seize property

Often Confused With

levy vs levee

A 'levee' is an embankment built to prevent a river from overflowing, whereas 'levy' is the imposition of a tax or fee.

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Usage Notes

The verb 'levy' is almost exclusively used in financial or legal contexts. It requires a direct object, such as 'tax', 'fine', or 'fee', and often uses the preposition 'on' or 'against' to indicate the target.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'levy' as a general synonym for 'collecting' anything, but it should only be used when the collection is an official or forced obligation.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'L' in Levy as 'Lifting' money out of someone's pocket for the government. It also shares an origin with 'lever' (to raise).

📖

Word Origin

From the Old French word 'lever,' meaning 'to raise or lift,' originally referring to the raising of an army or the collecting of taxes.

Grammar Patterns

Transitive verb: levy + [tax/fine] + on + [person/entity] Regular conjugation: levies, levied, levying
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Cultural Context

The power to levy taxes is a central theme in political history, notably fueling the American Revolution with the slogan 'No taxation without representation.'

Quick Quiz

The local council voted to ___ a new tax on plastic packaging to encourage recycling.

Correct!

The correct answer is: levy

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interfactity

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C1

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