1
2
a
: free from variation : uniform
his disposition was even
b
3
4
a
: being any of the integers (such as −2, 0, and +2) that are divisible by two without leaving a remainder
b
: marked by an even number
c
: being a mathematical function such that f(x) = f(−x) where the value remains unchanged if the sign of the independent variable is reversed
6
: as likely as not : fifty-fifty
an even chance of winning
evenly
adverb
1
a
—used as an intensive to stress an extreme or highly unlikely condition or instance
so simple even a child can do it
b
—used as an intensive to stress the comparative degree
she did even better
c
—used as an intensive to indicate a small or minimum amount
didn't even try
d
—used as an intensive to emphasize the identity or character of something
forgot his car keys and even left the engine running
Synonyms
Examples of even in a Sentence
Adjective
We finally reached even ground after the long climb.
They slowed down and waited for him to draw even.
She spoke with a calm, even voice.
the even beat of the drum
Adverb
the blue whale is a huge, even awesome animal by any measure
I will love you even to the end of time.
Verb
even the filling before adding the top layer of the cake
the contention that producing more arms will even us with the enemy and therefore make us more secure
Recent Examples on the Web
Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Pythons also have a strong digestive system that can break down even bones.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
But for patients monitored for diagnosis or treatment of brain disease, it can be continued for much longer – days or even weeks.
—Giridhar Kalamangalam, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
The process leads to a home with even temperatures in every room, healthier air, and energy savings due to an efficient HVAC system.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
An even grain and reddish-brown hue also deliver on aesthetics.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Another nice feature is a rotating barrel, which is beneficial for achieving an even seal on cracks in hard-to-reach places (like around pipes or under the sink).
—Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2024
Also mentioned in the filing was an even problem as TechCrunch pointed out.
—Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
Pound the chicken thin to ensure an even cook, then dredge it in flour, and give it a quick pan-fry in butter.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Brian Lowry, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
City finance officials had requested additional calculation changes that would have lowered the payment even further, by about $100 million, but the pension board rejected those.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
There are plenty of theories about why this is happening, involving broad finger-pointing toward the Internet or the ongoing influence of television, or even shifting labor conditions, as more women have entered the workforce.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
Grey is whip-smart and activist-minded even to her detriment.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Your career has spanned so many incredible projects, even just looking at television, from Beauty and the Beast in the ’80s to Resident Alien now and Stranger Things coming up.
—Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
The Owl has been responsible for two Guinness World Records (for eight-mile and quarter-mile average speeds) but shifting production from Italy back to Japan has produced even more delays, requiring patience from would-be owners.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
The employees said the company often recruited young, thin, white women, who were sometimes even shopping as customers, to work in their stores.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
The intelligence agency even produced a documentary film about the operation to showcase its triumph.
—José Bautista, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
The Flyers evened their home record to 12-2-2 while completing a season sweep of the Jets.
—Aaron Bracy, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2024
For a scrub that evens your texture without stripping away your skin, this Biossance pick is the one for you.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback and former Louisville star had a pair of characteristically electrifying plays on a touchdown drive in the first quarter that evened his team with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
—Craig Meyer, The Courier-Journal, 28 Jan. 2024
And if hyperpigmentation is a recurring event for you, this scrub works to counteract dark spots with niacinamide and licorice extract, which evens your natural skin tone while the granules balance your texture.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024
Athletic evened the match with a header by Oihan Sancet in the 49th.
—Tales Azzoni, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024
Miller brothers Sean, Archie go 2-0 in Rhode Island Saturday
With it, Xavier is now back over .500 (9-8) for the season and evens its Big East record at 3-3.
—Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 17 Jan. 2024
Trailing 6-0 in the third quarter, the Warriors (2-1) evened things when Dimitri Taylor scored on a 50-yard kickoff return.
—Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2024
Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024
Added niacinamide helps sooth the skin and evens skin tone, while squalane hydrates and smooths.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
Given the law of odds and evens that has governed the films, No. 5 should be a good one.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
Water-repellent nylon fabric makes this bag perfect for both rainy days and sweaty adventures, and unlike most bags with adjustable straps that leave one long piece left hanging, this pack is made with a thin piece of elastic that evens out the loop for a more streamlined appearance.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2023
This Kosas tinted moisturizer is infused with avocado oil, meadowfoam oil, raspberry oil, jojoba oil, and more — so your skin will get a surge of hydration while the formula also soothes and evens out your complexion.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2023
Adjective
When all the broth has been added, jiggle the pan so the rice is in an even layer.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Pythons also have a strong digestive system that can break down even bones.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
But for patients monitored for diagnosis or treatment of brain disease, it can be continued for much longer – days or even weeks.
—Giridhar Kalamangalam, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
The process leads to a home with even temperatures in every room, healthier air, and energy savings due to an efficient HVAC system.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
An even grain and reddish-brown hue also deliver on aesthetics.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Another nice feature is a rotating barrel, which is beneficial for achieving an even seal on cracks in hard-to-reach places (like around pipes or under the sink).
—Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2024
Also mentioned in the filing was an even problem as TechCrunch pointed out.
—Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
Pound the chicken thin to ensure an even cook, then dredge it in flour, and give it a quick pan-fry in butter.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Adverb
But even those attributes, and Douglas’ interpretation of them, don’t quite prove inventive enough to compensate for its shortcomings.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
City finance officials had requested additional calculation changes that would have lowered the payment even further, by about $100 million, but the pension board rejected those.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
There are plenty of theories about why this is happening, involving broad finger-pointing toward the Internet or the ongoing influence of television, or even shifting labor conditions, as more women have entered the workforce.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
Grey is whip-smart and activist-minded even to her detriment.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Your career has spanned so many incredible projects, even just looking at television, from Beauty and the Beast in the ’80s to Resident Alien now and Stranger Things coming up.
—Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
The Owl has been responsible for two Guinness World Records (for eight-mile and quarter-mile average speeds) but shifting production from Italy back to Japan has produced even more delays, requiring patience from would-be owners.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
The employees said the company often recruited young, thin, white women, who were sometimes even shopping as customers, to work in their stores.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
The intelligence agency even produced a documentary film about the operation to showcase its triumph.
—José Bautista, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Verb
Foothill evened its record at 3-3. Jackson Huffman and Chris Flores each had two hits for Northgate, which dropped to 2-3.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
The Flyers evened their home record to 12-2-2 while completing a season sweep of the Jets.
—Aaron Bracy, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2024
For a scrub that evens your texture without stripping away your skin, this Biossance pick is the one for you.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback and former Louisville star had a pair of characteristically electrifying plays on a touchdown drive in the first quarter that evened his team with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
—Craig Meyer, The Courier-Journal, 28 Jan. 2024
And if hyperpigmentation is a recurring event for you, this scrub works to counteract dark spots with niacinamide and licorice extract, which evens your natural skin tone while the granules balance your texture.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024
Athletic evened the match with a header by Oihan Sancet in the 49th.
—Tales Azzoni, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024
Miller brothers Sean, Archie go 2-0 in Rhode Island Saturday
With it, Xavier is now back over .500 (9-8) for the season and evens its Big East record at 3-3.
—Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 17 Jan. 2024
Trailing 6-0 in the third quarter, the Warriors (2-1) evened things when Dimitri Taylor scored on a 50-yard kickoff return.
—Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2024
Noun
Shoppers also love how the $10 primer evens skin tone, making pores look barely noticeable.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024
Added niacinamide helps sooth the skin and evens skin tone, while squalane hydrates and smooths.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
Given the law of odds and evens that has governed the films, No. 5 should be a good one.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
Water-repellent nylon fabric makes this bag perfect for both rainy days and sweaty adventures, and unlike most bags with adjustable straps that leave one long piece left hanging, this pack is made with a thin piece of elastic that evens out the loop for a more streamlined appearance.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2023
This Kosas tinted moisturizer is infused with avocado oil, meadowfoam oil, raspberry oil, jojoba oil, and more — so your skin will get a surge of hydration while the formula also soothes and evens out your complexion.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'even.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English efen; akin to Old High German eban even
Adverb
Middle English, from Old English efne, from efen, adjective
Noun
Middle English even, eve, from Old English ǣfen
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2c
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of even was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing even
Dictionary Entries Near even
Cite this Entry
“Even.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/even. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
even
2 of 4 adjective1
2
a
: equal in size, number, or amount
even distances apart
b
: staying the same over a period of time
even breathing
3
a
: without advantage on either side : fair
start out even
an even trade
b
: leaving nothing due on either side
now we're even
c
: showing neither profit nor loss
4
a
: being any number that can be divided by two without remainder
2, 4, 6, 8, … are even numbers
b
: marked by an even number
an even page of a book
5
: being whole or exact without a remainder or fractional part
an even dollar
an even dozen
evenly
adverb
even
3 of 4 adverb1
a
: exactly sense 1, precisely
believes even as we do
b
: to a degree that extends : fully
faithful even to death
c
: at the very same time
raining even as the sun came out
2
: indeed
willing, even eager, to help
3
—used to stress an extreme or highly unlikely condition or instance
so simple even a child can do it
4
: to a greater extent or degree
even better
5
—used to stress the smallness of an amount or effort
didn't even offer to help
gave it not even a glance
More from Merriam-Webster on even
Nglish: Translation of even for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of even for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about even
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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