even
1 of 4adjective
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 4adverb
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 4verb
evened; evening ˈēv-niŋ
ˈē-və-
transitive verb
: to make even
intransitive verb
: to become even
evener
ˈēv-nər
noun ˈē-və-
even
4 of 4noun
archaic
: evening
Synonyms
Adjective
- exact
- flat
- precise
- round
Adverb
- indeed
- nay
- truly
- verily
- yea
Verb
- flatten
- level
- plane
- smooth
- smoothen
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Alyssa Alfano, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Molly, who made the semifinals of last year’s Mass Women’s Amateur, had an early birdie on the 2nd and got back to even-par with birdies on the 12th and 16th. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 When the march paused for almost 10 minutes in front of the Little Italy Food Hall, many people took out mobile phones to take pictures and even selfies. Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2021 Transfer berries to a baking sheet, and spread in an even layer to cool. People Staff, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2022 Arrange seasoned potatoes and peppers in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 15 Aug. 2022 Add the reserved pimiento liquid (about ⅓ cup) to the eggs and whisk to combine. Spread the cooked vegetables in an even layer in the skillet. San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 This helps create a more even distribution and ensures that certain ingredients (like chocolate) don't fully melt before you're finished cooking. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 6 Aug. 2022 The even weight distribution of gear will keep your carrier stable. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 7 June 2022 Colleen Newvine, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 None of those things were true — and even with all that ASU had a chance to win. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2022 Shoemaker-Allen lives in the Madison area, and can't stop running even with a busy job at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Middleton. Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 But even with thick seeds like squash, beans cucumbers and corn, a half inch of soil is adequate. Tom Maccubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 Yet even with the broadest definition, monarchy has taken quite a decline. Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 The evening rush has remained relatively steady throughout the pandemic, even with more telework, because people also take more personal trips at that time, such as picking up groceries or fetching children from after-school activities. Katherine Shaver, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 The receiving options overall were a non-factor for most of the Texas game, even with Cameron Latu making his debut. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2022 Humphrey has been generally regarded as one of the league’s top corners, but the Ravens have trouble defending fast receivers on the outside even with Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters on the field. Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 Jessica Teich, Good Housekeeping, 5 Aug. 2022 The West has been too slow, and the need to even out the artillery disparity is urgent. Jillian Kay Melchior, WSJ, 12 July 2022 In 2020, talks began to even out the hilly area to comply with ADA guidelines, as well as renovate the existing basketball and tennis courts. David Abel, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 Other helpful ingredients are vitamin C, an antioxidant that brightens post-acne dark spots and scars over time, and niacinamide, which works to even out skin tone and texture. Sarah Madaus, SELF, 28 June 2022 As Ruiz’s luck starts to even out, look for his stats to take an upturn across the board. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022 The Atlanta Hawks try to even up their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series with the Miami Heta on Sunday, April 24. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 24 Apr. 2022 If Cincinnati's interior players (Abdul Ado, Hayden Koval, Viktor Lakhin and Ody Oguama) can keep it competitive by the rim and stay out of foul trouble, the Bearcats will have a chance to even up the regular-season series. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 15 Feb. 2022 The Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 7-2 in Game 2 to even up the World Series at 1-1. Harold Maass, The Week, 28 Oct. 2021 See More
Adjective
The Art Council takes care of publicity and getting the square reserved for the even and Medina Show Biz picks the stories and actors for the event. Alyssa Alfano, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Molly, who made the semifinals of last year’s Mass Women’s Amateur, had an early birdie on the 2nd and got back to even-par with birdies on the 12th and 16th. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 When the march paused for almost 10 minutes in front of the Little Italy Food Hall, many people took out mobile phones to take pictures and even selfies. Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2021 Transfer berries to a baking sheet, and spread in an even layer to cool. People Staff, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2022 Arrange seasoned potatoes and peppers in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 15 Aug. 2022 Add the reserved pimiento liquid (about ⅓ cup) to the eggs and whisk to combine. Spread the cooked vegetables in an even layer in the skillet. San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 This helps create a more even distribution and ensures that certain ingredients (like chocolate) don't fully melt before you're finished cooking. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 6 Aug. 2022 The even weight distribution of gear will keep your carrier stable. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 7 June 2022 Adverb
Walking for several hours, even with breaks, made my feet sweaty and swollen inside waterproof hiking shoes on our Manhattan walk. Colleen Newvine, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 None of those things were true — and even with all that ASU had a chance to win. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2022 Shoemaker-Allen lives in the Madison area, and can't stop running even with a busy job at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Middleton. Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 But even with thick seeds like squash, beans cucumbers and corn, a half inch of soil is adequate. Tom Maccubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 Yet even with the broadest definition, monarchy has taken quite a decline. Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 The evening rush has remained relatively steady throughout the pandemic, even with more telework, because people also take more personal trips at that time, such as picking up groceries or fetching children from after-school activities. Katherine Shaver, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 The receiving options overall were a non-factor for most of the Texas game, even with Cameron Latu making his debut. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2022 Humphrey has been generally regarded as one of the league’s top corners, but the Ravens have trouble defending fast receivers on the outside even with Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters on the field. Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 Verb
Use a diffuser to even out your curl pattern and add more body. Jessica Teich, Good Housekeeping, 5 Aug. 2022 The West has been too slow, and the need to even out the artillery disparity is urgent. Jillian Kay Melchior, WSJ, 12 July 2022 In 2020, talks began to even out the hilly area to comply with ADA guidelines, as well as renovate the existing basketball and tennis courts. David Abel, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 Other helpful ingredients are vitamin C, an antioxidant that brightens post-acne dark spots and scars over time, and niacinamide, which works to even out skin tone and texture. Sarah Madaus, SELF, 28 June 2022 As Ruiz’s luck starts to even out, look for his stats to take an upturn across the board. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022 The Atlanta Hawks try to even up their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series with the Miami Heta on Sunday, April 24. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 24 Apr. 2022 If Cincinnati's interior players (Abdul Ado, Hayden Koval, Viktor Lakhin and Ody Oguama) can keep it competitive by the rim and stay out of foul trouble, the Bearcats will have a chance to even up the regular-season series. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 15 Feb. 2022 The Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 7-2 in Game 2 to even up the World Series at 1-1. Harold Maass, The Week, 28 Oct. 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
even 1 of 3
adjective
ˈē-vən
1
: having a flat, smooth, or level surface
even ground
2
: being on the same line or level
Water is even with the rim of a glass.
3
: staying the same over a period of time
even breathing
4
: equal in size, number, or amount
The bread was cut in even slices.
5
: not giving an advantage to one side : fair
an even trade
6
: able to be divided by two into two equal whole numbers
Fourteen is even, but fifteen is odd.
even
2 of 3adverb
1
—used to stress a highly unlikely condition or instance
… even his mustache looked more cheerful. Lloyd Alexander, Time Cat
Lloyd Alexander, Time Cat2
: to a greater extent or degree : still
even better
3
: so much as
She didn't even offer to help.
4
: indeed
We were willing, even eager, to help.
5
: at the very time
It's happening even as we speak.
even
3 of 3verb
evened; evening
: to make or become smooth or equal
I evened out the rug.
That point evens the score.
even 1 of 3
adverb
1
as in certainly
not merely this but also the blue whale is a huge, even awesome animal by any measure Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- certainly
- indeed
- definitely
- truly
- surely
- really
- undoubtedly
- in fact
- nay
- in truth
- positively
- verily
- in reality
- yea
- assuredly
- unquestionably
- undeniably
- doubtless
- decidedly
- indisputably
- incontestably
- incontrovertibly
2
as in all
to a full extent or degree I will love you even to the end of time Synonyms & Similar Words
- all
- quite
- fully
- completely
- totally
- perfectly
- utterly
- exactly
- well
- wholly
- thoroughly
- enough
- entirely
- fast
- out
- absolutely
- entire
- wide
- all of
- all the way
- all over
- full
- dead
- basically
- for fair
- altogether
- soundly
- at length
- heartily
- to pieces
- flat
- clean
- generally
- in whole
- mostly
- downright
- substantially
- to bits
- to the max
- plain
- to the hilt
- down to the ground
- categorically
- cold
- plumb
- mainly
- largely
- greatly
- through and through
- down the line
- primarily
- principally
- stone
- chiefly
- predominantly
- abundantly
- overall
- predominately
- generously
- unqualifiedly
- hands down
- copiously
- stone-cold
- more or less
- by and large
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- just
- partially
- partly
- barely
- halfway
- half
- hardly
- scarcely
- slightly
- marginally
- minimally
- somewhat
- incompletely
- superficially
- part
- approximately
- roughly
- kind of
even
2 of 3adjective
1
as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent the distance to town is an even mile Synonyms & Similar Words
- exact
- round
- precise
- flat
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- relative
- near
- comparative
- approximate
- imprecise
2
as in plane
having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities let's find an even stretch of ground to pitch our tent Synonyms & Similar Words
- plane
- level
- smooth
- exact
- true
- flat
- flush
- regular
- uniform
- straight
- horizontal
- aligned
- vertical
- plumb
- alined
- tabular
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rough
- uneven
- coarse
- bumpy
- lumpy
- warped
- inexact
- irregular
- wavy
- undulating
- unsmoothed
- undulatory
- unaligned
- pitted
- pockmarked
- pocky
3
as in identical
resembling another in every respect the armies of the two countries are fairly even Synonyms & Similar Words
- identical
- comparable
- similar
- analogous
- same
- equivalent
- like
- such
- duplicate
- equal
- indistinguishable
- matching
- alike
- synonymous
- tantamount
- corresponding
- coequal
- much of a muchness
- akin
- parallel
- coordinate
- suchlike
- correspondent
- look-alike
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- other
- unlike
- different
- dissimilar
- distant
- distinguishable
- diverse
- distinctive
- distinct
- disparate
- various
- nonidentical
- unalike
- differentiable
- sundry
- varied
- discriminable
- miscellaneous
- divers
4
as in steady
not varying energy demands do not stay even throughout the day but peak significantly during the afternoon hours Synonyms & Similar Words
- steady
- unchanging
- uniform
- unwavering
- unchangeable
- invariant
- unvarying
- fixed
- invariable
- set
- undeviating
- unalterable
- immutable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- changing
- varying
- unsteady
- nonuniform
- deviating
even
3 of 3verb
1
as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps even the filling before adding the top layer of the cake Synonyms & Similar Words
- smooth
- shave
- level
- plane
- flatten
- lay
- trim
- clip
- rake
- spread
- smoothen
- crop
- press
- comb
- pare
- surface
- prune
- card
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rough
- roughen
- bend
- wrinkle
- dent
- coarsen
- pit
- kink
- rumple
2
as in to equate
to make equal in amount, degree, or status the contention that producing more arms will even us with the enemy and therefore make us more secure Synonyms & Similar Words
- equate
- adjust
- balance
- equalize
- compensate
- accommodate
- level
- fit
- standardize
- normalize
- counterbalance
- equilibrate
- equipoise
- regularize
- democratize
- homogenize
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disequilibrate
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of even are flat, level, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," 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
The words flat and even are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.
the work surface must be flat
In some situations, the words level and even are roughly equivalent. However, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.
the vast prairies are nearly level
While in some cases nearly identical to even, 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
Although the words smooth and even have much in common, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.
a smooth skating rink
Phrases Containing even
- spotted crake
- spotted cranesbill
- spotted cucumber beetle
- spotted cuscus
- spotted cutworm
- spotted dead nettle
- spotted deer
- spotted dick
- spotted dogfish
- spotted eagle
- spotted eagle ray
- spotted fever
- spotted fever tick
- spotted flycatcher
- spotted gar
- spotted goby
- spotted ground squirrel
- spotted grunter
- spotted gum
- spotted hound
- spotted hyena
- spotted jewelweed
- spotted jewfish
- spotted knapweed
- spotted knotweed