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
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Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Sep. 2023
Those treatments can go on for months or even years.
—Ty Tagami, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2023
It’s packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and a nearly even amount of carbs and fat.
—Paul Kita, Men's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
The Lodge Grill Pan also bested many of its competitors in terms of heat distribution and retention, providing an even temperature across most of the cooking surface.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
The commonwealth of Virginia is like many states, only meeting for 60 days in even years and 30 days in odd years – though those sessions are often extended by up to 15 days.
—Raymond Scheppach, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023
Spread in an even layer over potato mixture, scraping all of the butter mixture from bowl onto baking sheet.
—Karen Schroeder-Rankin, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2023
Campers will love sinking down onto the top insulation layer, which provides an even surface for heads on any campsite.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2023
Cattle prefer grazing a flat landscape, so stick to the coastline and to the even terrain inland.
—WIRED, 26 Aug. 2023
David English, PCMAG, 15 Sep. 2023
According to the complaint, Google continued to store users’ location data even after the setting was turned off.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
Lifestyle changes combined with psychotropic medication and even therapy are more likely to effectively enact change.
—Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 15 Sep. 2023
As shown in the documentary, his biological mother refuses to accept the DNA results, even after a second test was completed.
—Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023
So: And that's not even to mention the whole Apple ecosystem.
—WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023
Widespread failure of these smaller supplier firms — which number as many as 5,600 — could impede the broader U.S. auto supply chain even after the possible strike ends, according to the people.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
There are even occasional opportunities to crew when the yacht is being delivered from its home port to the racing destination.
—Helen Iatrou, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2023
The show’s core cast featured Jason Mantzoukas, Jessi Klein, Maya Rudolph, Jordan Peele, and Fred Armisen, while recurring and guest stars included Natasha Lyonne, Kristen Wiig, Bobby Cannavale, Ali Wong, Jean Smart, Martin Short, and even Tyler, the Creator (who voiced Jesus in Season Six).
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2023
Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2023
With the win, the Vols have evened the all-time series at 5-5.
—al, 1 Sep. 2023
Gabe Vincent was the Heat's starting point guard and was the highest scorer in Game 2 when Miami evened the Finals series.
—Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 13 June 2023
Rivers threw six touchdown passes as St. Michael evened its record at 1-1 with a win over Chickasaw.
—Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 3 Sep. 2023
Cease evened his record at 5-5 in a disappointing season after finishing second in American League Cy Young voting last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
After Canada evened it up with goals from Dhane Smith and Clarke Pettersen, Sowers scored on a rebound and put back.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2023
Chafe evened the game for Manchester-Essex three minutes into the half, but after Lucy Donahue intercepted a Hornets’ pass, Allie Wile reestablished Ipswich’s lead a minute later.
—Kevin Stone, BostonGlobe.com, 15 June 2023
Visibly upset, Ayton was jawing in the direction of the team huddle, didn’t talk with the media after Game 3 but spoke on what happened following Game 4 as the Suns evened the series with two home wins.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 14 May 2023
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
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Adjective
People who cannot afford bail are left behind bars for the duration of their case—often lasting months and even years.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Sep. 2023
Those treatments can go on for months or even years.
—Ty Tagami, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2023
It’s packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and a nearly even amount of carbs and fat.
—Paul Kita, Men's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
The Lodge Grill Pan also bested many of its competitors in terms of heat distribution and retention, providing an even temperature across most of the cooking surface.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
The commonwealth of Virginia is like many states, only meeting for 60 days in even years and 30 days in odd years – though those sessions are often extended by up to 15 days.
—Raymond Scheppach, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023
Spread in an even layer over potato mixture, scraping all of the butter mixture from bowl onto baking sheet.
—Karen Schroeder-Rankin, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2023
Campers will love sinking down onto the top insulation layer, which provides an even surface for heads on any campsite.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2023
Cattle prefer grazing a flat landscape, so stick to the coastline and to the even terrain inland.
—WIRED, 26 Aug. 2023
Adverb
That was the case even when the text documents included images or some colored text.
—David English, PCMAG, 15 Sep. 2023
According to the complaint, Google continued to store users’ location data even after the setting was turned off.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
Lifestyle changes combined with psychotropic medication and even therapy are more likely to effectively enact change.
—Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 15 Sep. 2023
As shown in the documentary, his biological mother refuses to accept the DNA results, even after a second test was completed.
—Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023
So: And that's not even to mention the whole Apple ecosystem.
—WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023
Widespread failure of these smaller supplier firms — which number as many as 5,600 — could impede the broader U.S. auto supply chain even after the possible strike ends, according to the people.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
There are even occasional opportunities to crew when the yacht is being delivered from its home port to the racing destination.
—Helen Iatrou, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2023
The show’s core cast featured Jason Mantzoukas, Jessi Klein, Maya Rudolph, Jordan Peele, and Fred Armisen, while recurring and guest stars included Natasha Lyonne, Kristen Wiig, Bobby Cannavale, Ali Wong, Jean Smart, Martin Short, and even Tyler, the Creator (who voiced Jesus in Season Six).
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2023
Verb
When Ostapenko evened things up at a set apiece, Swiatek seemed to be out of her comfort zone.
—Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2023
With the win, the Vols have evened the all-time series at 5-5.
—al, 1 Sep. 2023
Gabe Vincent was the Heat's starting point guard and was the highest scorer in Game 2 when Miami evened the Finals series.
—Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 13 June 2023
Rivers threw six touchdown passes as St. Michael evened its record at 1-1 with a win over Chickasaw.
—Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 3 Sep. 2023
Cease evened his record at 5-5 in a disappointing season after finishing second in American League Cy Young voting last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
After Canada evened it up with goals from Dhane Smith and Clarke Pettersen, Sowers scored on a rebound and put back.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2023
Chafe evened the game for Manchester-Essex three minutes into the half, but after Lucy Donahue intercepted a Hornets’ pass, Allie Wile reestablished Ipswich’s lead a minute later.
—Kevin Stone, BostonGlobe.com, 15 June 2023
Visibly upset, Ayton was jawing in the direction of the team huddle, didn’t talk with the media after Game 3 but spoke on what happened following Game 4 as the Suns evened the series with two home wins.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 14 May 2023
Noun
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
See More
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 28 Sep. 2023.
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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