even

1 of 2

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

—usually used with with

houses even with each other

2

a

: free from variation : uniform

spoke with a calm, even voice

maintained an even speed

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

He vowed to get even. [=to do something bad to someone who treated him badly]

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

see also:

on an even keel

evenness

2 of 2

noun

even·​ness ˈēvən(n)ə̇s 

plural -es

: the quality or condition of being even: such as

a

archaic : fairness, impartiality

b

: balanced condition

ensure the evenness of the scales of justice

c

: freedom from variation or fluctuation : uniformity, consistency, regularity

her tone regained … its evenness of texture from the bottom register to the top

—Current Biography

pronounced each syllable with great evenness

d

: placidity, equanimity

kindness and evenness of temper were two of his salient characteristics

e

: absence of expression especially in speech : flatness

although deeply moved, he spoke with a strange evenness

Synonyms of even

Adjective

• exact

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Spread into an even layer and bake until crispy, about 20 minutes. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 8 June 2026

To get an even application, apply the tanner in a circular motion to the entire body. —Deanna Pai, Glamour, 6 June 2026

Add the tofu in an even layer and cook until golden brown on the top and bottom, flipping halfway through, 3 to 4 minutes total. —Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026

For a company that makes only about 50,000 watches a year — compared to more than a million a year for Rolex — and is still family owned, AP's investments are measured in decades rather than quarters or even years. —Robert Frank, CNBC, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English efen; akin to Old High German eban even

Noun

Middle English evennesse, from Old English efennes, from efen even + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing even

• break-even
• break-even point
• can't even begin to describe
• didn't even blink
• 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 with
• not (even) blink
• on an even keel
• on even keel

Rhymes for even

• steven
• breakeven
• genevan
• uneven

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