even

1 of 4

adjective

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
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 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

even

3 of 4

verb

evened; evening ˈēv-niŋ How to pronounce even (audio)
ˈē-və-

transitive verb

: to make even

intransitive verb

: to become even
evener
ˈēv-nər
ˈē-və- How to pronounce even (audio)
noun

even

4 of 4

noun

archaic
Phrases
on an even keel or less commonly on even keel
: in a sound or stable condition
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
Aside from the long-term preparation and parade day itself, one layer is invisible to the public: the mad scramble by dozens of volunteers to get the festival area ready and the even madder scramble to take it all down. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 The result is a brighter, more even appearance to your skin. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024 Pour the ganache over the top layer of graham crackers and gently spread out into an even layer. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 Elsewhere, subtle and unexpected embellishment came in the form of fringe on aprons or necklaces and even hats. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Regardless of what happens, Granlund is keeping an even keel. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 Given their popularity, Squishmallows make great gifts for kids and even tweens. Chelsee Lowe, Parents, 1 Feb. 2024 Shoppers have worn them to lounge at home and run errands, plus several even users dressed them up to wear to the office. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2024 What TikTok and social media did for me was give me an even chance to pitch myself to the world. Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2024
Adverb
But that claim has been disputed by aid agencies and even contradicts his own statements. Helen Regan, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 Rebecca Raby, a professor of child and youth studies at Brock University, in Canada, told me that first jobs can be extremely formative, even empowering experiences. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 As for the response to the demonstration, Smith is well aware of, and even understands, the criticism. Anna Tingley, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Yet scary characters are more striking and salient to us, and can therefore seem even more alive. Patrick House, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 And the light beige color of Lawrence’s makes even more of a case for shackets in spring. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 And yet even with all the beauty of exploring Ireland's patchwork green countryside and pursuing the end of every rainbow, incredibly, Scahill managed to get more than a dozen performers to join our musical motley crew on tour. Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 Though none of the three players answered the question about Aeschylus’ first surviving play correctly, Barinholtz wagered all of his winnings, landing him in last place with an even $0. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024 There’s also a chance that the season takes place over months or possibly a full school year, which would probably make even less sense. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
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 Mountain View 73, Wilcox 62 Mountain View evened its Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division record at 1-1 as Jayden Minor scored 22 points and Jaden Feller added 16 to lead the Spartans to a victory on the road over Wilcox. Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024 Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman evened his record against Texas A&M at 5-5. Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 17 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

Dictionary Entries Near even

Cite this Entry

“Even.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/even. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

even

1 of 4 noun
archaic

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 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 How to pronounce even (audio)
: to make or become even
evener noun

More from Merriam-Webster on even

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!