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
Cybercriminals can take an entire health system down for weeks or even months, delaying critical patient care. Rich Birhanzel, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 These symptoms have been shown to last for weeks or even months. Tyler Shephers, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
Adverb
Any attempts to change that process may be ineffectual or result in even worse outcomes. Shoeb Javed, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 Eventually, when the ghosts of her past nudge her toward a relapse, Rona will relocate to an even more remote part of the Northern Isles known as Papay, living in a cottage and trying to remain dry. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
The essence also evens skin tone and works wonders as a skin-loving layer below makeup. Annie Blackman, Allure, 18 July 2024 The debate has evened the playing field between the two candidates, according to the Polymarket prediction platform that now puts both Harris and Trump on 49%. Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 11 Sep. 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 See all Example Sentences for even 

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 8 Oct. 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

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