even

1 of 4

adjective

ˈē-vən 

1

a

: having a horizontal surface : flat

even ground

b

: being without break, indentation, or irregularity : smooth

c

: being in the same plane or line

2

a

: free from variation : uniform

his disposition was even

b

: level sense 4

3

a

: equal, fair

an even exchange

b(1)

: leaving nothing due on either side : square

we will not be even until you repay my visit

(2)

: fully revenged

c

: being in equilibrium : balanced

specifically : showing neither profit nor loss

d

obsolete : candid

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

5

: exact, precise

an even dollar

6

: as likely as not : fifty-fifty

an even chance of winning

evenly adverb

evenness

ˈē-vən-nəs 

noun

even

2 of 4

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

2

a

: to a degree that extends : fully, quite

faithful even unto death

b

: at the very time

raining even as the sun came out

c

: exactly, precisely

even

3 of 4

verb

evened; evening ˈēv-niŋ 

ˈē-və-

transitive verb

: to make even

intransitive verb

: to become even

evener

ˈēv-nər

ˈē-və- 

noun

even

4 of 4

noun

archaic

: evening

Phrases

on an even keel or less commonly on even keel

: in a sound or stable condition

Synonyms

Adjective

• exact
• flat
• precise
• round

Adverb

• indeed
• nay
• truly
• verily
• yea

Verb

• flatten
• level
• plane
• smooth
• smoothen

Choose the Right Synonym for even

level, flat, plane, even, smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities.

level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

steady, even, equable mean not varying throughout a course or extent.

steady implies lack of fluctuation or interruption of movement.

steady progress

even suggests a lack of variation in quality or character.

an even distribution

equable implies lack of extremes or of sudden sharp changes.

maintain an equable temper

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

Adjective

Pour batter into the pan and smooth it out into an even layer. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2024

Spread and Cool Use two forks to lift and pull candy into an even layer. —Shelli McConnell, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2024

Adverb

One volunteer even went person-to-person in the crowd of at least 100. —Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Oct. 2024

White is known for performing surprise shows in cities nationwide, and even announced two surprise performances in Milwaukee on Friday, one of which was scheduled for that evening. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2024

Verb

With a 7-3 bounce back win, the Mets evened the series at a game apiece. —Kevin Dotson, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024

The Padres and Dodgers resume their National League Divisional Series matchup Tuesday at Petco Park after San Diego evened the series Sunday with a blowout win. —Andrew Keatts, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024

Noun

This breathable, sheer-to-medium coverage formula creates a luminous finish that evens discoloration and the look of blemishes without creating a cakey look like many powder foundations. —Sarah Han, Allure, 5 Sep. 2024

This evens the field somewhat between movies and TV shows, something that Kasey Moore, founder of the pioneering tracking site What’s on Netflix, finds useful. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 29 May 2024

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

Phrases Containing even

• break even
• break-even point
• can't even begin to describe
• don't even think about (doing) it
• even as
• even if
• even-keeled
• even money
• even now/then
• even number
• even out
• even permutation
• even so
• even-tempered
• even the score
• even though
• even-toed
• get even
• get even with
• not (even) blink

Kids Definition

even

1 of 4 noun

ˈē-vən 

archaic

: evening

even

2 of 4 adjective

1

a

: having a horizontal surface : flat

even ground

b

: being without breaks or bumps : smooth

an even line

c

: being on the same line or level

houses even with each other

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

evenness

-vən-nəs 

noun

even

3 of 4 adverb

1

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

even

4 of 4 verb

evened; evening ˈēv-(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become even

evener

ˈēv-(ə-)nər 

noun