Levy: meaning, definitions and examples

💰

Add to dictionary

levy

[ ˈlɛvi ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

tax

A tax or fee imposed by a government on a product, income, or activity.

Synonyms

assessment, duty, tax.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
levy	Used when talking about the act of imposing a tax, fee, or fine by an authority. The government decided to levy a new tax on luxury goods to increase revenue The city council will levy fines for illegal parking
tax	A general term for money that people and businesses must pay to the government, used in a wide range of contexts. Everyone is required to pay income tax The sales tax on consumer goods has recently increased
duty	Often refers to a specific kind of tax imposed on imported and exported goods or certain activities. A high customs duty was imposed on imported cars Travelers need to declare goods and pay the necessary duty upon arrival
assessment	Commonly used in the context of evaluating property or determining the value or amount of something, often for tax purposes. The assessment of the property value will determine the amount of property tax He disagreed with the assessment of his income by the tax authorities

Examples of usage

The government introduced a new levy on sugary drinks to reduce consumption.
An environmental levy is charged on plastic bags in an effort to decrease pollution.
The levy on imported goods has been increased to protect local industries.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal

A legal seizure of property to satisfy a debt.

Synonyms

attachment, confiscation, seizure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
levy	This word is used when referring to the act of imposing a tax, fee, or fine on someone. It is often used in legal and financial contexts. The government decided to levy a new tax on luxury goods. A levy was imposed on all imported electronics.
seizure	Used when something is taken forcefully or by legal right, often by law enforcement or government authorities. It can be negative, indicating a lack of consent. The government ordered the seizure of all smuggled items. There was a seizure of drugs at the airport.
confiscation	Used to describe the act of taking property with authority, usually as a penalty. It often carries a negative connotation as it involves loss of property. The police carried out the confiscation of illegal goods. The new law allows for the confiscation of assets gained through corruption.
attachment	This word is often used in legal settings to describe the seizure of property to secure the payment of a debt. It can also refer to an emotional bond, but in the legal sense, it is about property. The court ordered the attachment of the debtor's assets. There was an attachment issued against the company’s property.

Examples of usage

The bank issued a levy on the company's assets to recover the outstanding loan.
If the debt is not repaid, the authorities may proceed with a levy on the property.

Translations

Translations of the word "levy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imposto

🇮🇳 कर

🇩🇪 Abgabe

🇮🇩 pajak

🇺🇦 податок

🇵🇱 podatek

🇯🇵 課税

🇫🇷 impôt

🇪🇸 impuesto

🇹🇷 vergi

🇰🇷 세금

🇸🇦 ضريبة

🇨🇿 daň

🇸🇰 daň

🇨🇳 税

🇸🇮 davek

🇮🇸 skatt

🇰🇿 салық

🇬🇪 გადასახადი

🇦🇿 vergilər

🇲🇽 impuesto

Etymology

The word 'levy' originated from Old French 'lever' meaning 'to raise' or 'lift'. It was initially used in the context of raising troops or funds for military purposes. Over time, it evolved to include the idea of imposing taxes or fees by governments. The concept of levy has been integral to financial and legal systems for centuries, playing a crucial role in revenue generation and debt recovery.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,291 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5288 whatsoever
5289 containers
5290 depressed
5291 levy
5292 vitamin
5293 fertility
5294 kindness
...