Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To make something level, flat, or uniform; to remove differences or irregularities from a surface or distribution.
   • To adjust or correct something to achieve a state of balance or equality.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become level, flat, or uniform over time; to gradually reach a state of balance or stability.

Usage

• Transitive: Use "even out" when describing the action of making an uneven thing smooth or balancing an unequal distribution. It often takes a direct object (e.g., even out , even out ).
• Intransitive: Use "even out" when describing a process where something becomes balanced by itself over time. It does not take a direct object (e.g., The road evens out ahead).

Examples

• Transitive usage:

  • Use a trowel to even out the concrete before it dries.
  • The new tax policy aims to even out income disparities.
  • She used a brush to even out the application of paint.

• Intransitive usage:

  • After a steep climb, the hiking trail evens out near the summit.
  • Market fluctuations usually even out over the long term.
  • His breathing began to even out as he relaxed.

Advanced Usage

• In Statistics/Data: To describe making data sets comparable or removing skew.
  • The researcher applied a logarithmic transformation to even out the variance in the data.
• In Finance/Investing: To describe the reduction of volatility or risk over time.
  • Dollar-cost averaging helps even out the purchase price of shares.

Variants and Related Words

• Even (verb/adj): Can be used similarly (e.g., , ), but "even out" often emphasizes the of achieving the even state.
• Level out (phrasal verb): A very close synonym, especially for surfaces and trends.
• Smooth out (phrasal verb): Often used for surfaces and also for resolving difficulties.
• Balance out (phrasal verb): More focused on equalizing opposing forces, amounts, or effects.

Synonyms

• Flatten: To make something flat.
• Smooth: To make a surface even by removing irregularities.
• Equalize: To make things equal in amount, size, or degree.
• Stabilize: To become or make something stable and unchanging.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Even up: Very similar to the transitive use of "even out," often used for scores, amounts, or opportunities.
  • A last-minute goal evened up the match.
• Level off: Similar to the intransitive use, meaning to stop rising or falling and become steady.
  • Inflation is expected to level off next quarter.

Related Idioms

• To even the playing field: To create a situation where everyone has the same opportunities. (This idiom uses "even" as a verb, not the phrasal verb "even out," but the concept is related).
  • The scholarship program helps even the playing field for students from low-income families.

Verb

1. make even or more even
2. become even or more even
   • even out the surface
3. make level or straight
   • level the ground
4. adjust for
   • engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance