even

1 of 5

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

even

2 of 5

adverb

1

a

—used as an intensive to stress an extreme or highly unlikely condition or instance

It's so simple even a child can do it.

We offered proof, but even then they didn't believe us.

b

—used as an intensive to stress the comparative degree

I did even better than before.

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

were willing, even eager, to help

The illness can result in a visit to the doctor and even hospitalization.

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

are even now getting ready

c

: exactly, precisely

even

3 of 5

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 5

noun (1)

archaic

: evening

evenness

5 of 5

noun (2)

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

Adverb

• certainly
• indeed
• definitely
• truly
• surely
• really
• in fact

Verb

• smooth
• shave
• plane

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

Historically, this process can take months or even years. —David Szondy june 15, New Atlas, 15 June 2026

Depending on the style, an open bottle can stay good for months or even years. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Adverb

But even Jo-Ellen couldn’t help but point out to Alicia that that means cum. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 June 2026

Brind’Amour even appeared to wave the white flag by removing goalie Frederik Andersen and replacing him with Bussi. —Mark Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Verb

Brazil evened the score 11 minutes later. —CBS News, 13 June 2026

Carolina, behind two goals from Jordan Staal, including a remarkable game-winner, beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and evened the series 2-2 on Tuesday night. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 June 2026

Noun

Minnesota has outscored Dallas 11-3 at evens, despite the Stars getting more attempts and more chances. —Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Beyond rice extract to nourish and brighten, niacinamide evens tone and refines the look of pores, while adenosine supports smoother, more bouncy-looking skin. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Mar. 2026

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 (1)

Middle English even, eve, from Old English ǣfen

Noun (2)

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

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 (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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