Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Level, flat, or smooth: Having a surface without bumps, dips, or irregularities.
   • Equal or uniform: Being the same in degree, amount, or value; consistent and regular.
   • Calm and steady: Not easily upset or excited; having a balanced temperament.
   • Divisible by two: Referring to a whole number that can be divided exactly by two (e.g., 2, 4, 6).

2. Adverb:

   • Used to emphasize something surprising or extreme: Introduces a stronger or more extreme element than what was previously mentioned.
   • Used to indicate that something is exact or precise: Emphasizes the exact nature of a measurement or comparison.
   • Despite what one might expect; nevertheless: Used to introduce a fact that is true in spite of other circumstances.

3. Verb:

   • To make level or flat: To remove irregularities from a surface.
   • To make equal or balanced: To adjust amounts or levels so they are the same.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The table has an even surface. (The table's top is flat and smooth.)
  • They divided the cake into even portions. (The pieces of cake were equal in size.)
  • She has an even temper. (She is characteristically calm and steady.)
  • Four is an even number. (Four can be divided by two without a remainder.)

• Adverb:

  • He didn't even say hello. (It was surprising or rude that he omitted this basic greeting.)
  • It's even colder today than yesterday. (The cold is more extreme today.)
  • She works hard even when she's tired. (She works hard despite feeling tired.)

• Verb:

  • He used a roller to even the plaster. (He smoothed the plaster to make it flat.)
  • The score was evened in the final minutes. (The teams' scores were made equal.)

Advanced Usage

• "To get even with someone": To take revenge on someone.
  • He vowed to get even with the person who betrayed him.
• "To break even": To neither gain nor lose money; to have expenses equal to income.
  • The new business hopes to break even in its first year.
• "Even if" / "Even though": Used to introduce a contrasting condition that does not change the main statement.
  • Even if it rains, we will go for a walk.
  • She smiled even though she was sad.
• "Even so": Nevertheless; despite that.
  • The plan has risks. Even so, we should try it.

Variants and Related Words

• Evenly (adverb): In a level, equal, or uniform manner.
  • Spread the icing evenly over the cake.
• Evenness (noun): The quality of being level, equal, or regular.
  • The evenness of his breathing showed he was asleep.
• Even-handed (adjective): Fair and impartial; treating everyone equally.
  • The judge was praised for her even-handed approach.

Synonyms

• Adjective (level): Flat, smooth, plane.
• Adjective (equal): Equal, uniform, consistent, balanced.
• Adverb (emphatic): Actually, indeed.
• Verb (to level): Flatten, smooth, level.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Even out: To become level, equal, or regular; to distribute evenly.
  • The road evens out after the next hill.
  • Prices should even out over time.
• Even up: To make things equal or fair.
  • Let's even up the teams so the game is fair.

Related Idioms

• On an even keel: Functioning in a steady, stable, and balanced way.
  • After a difficult period, her life is finally on an even keel.
• Even Stevens: Completely equal or even; having no advantage.
  • We're even Stevens now that I've paid you back.

Adjective

1. of the score in a contest
   • the score is tied
2. occurring at fixed intervals
   • a regular beat
   • the even rhythm of his breathing
3. symmetrically arranged
   • even features
   • regular features
   • a regular polygon
4. being level or straight or regular and without variation as e.g. in shape or texture; or being in the same plane or at the same height as something else (i.e. even with)
   • an even application of varnish
   • an even floor
   • the road was not very even
   • the picture is even with the window
5. equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced
   • even amounts of butter and sugar
   • on even terms
   • it was a fifty-fifty (or even) split
   • had a fifty-fifty (or even) chance
   • an even fight
6. divisible by two

Noun

1. the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
   • he enjoyed the evening light across the lake

Adverb

1. to the full extent
   • loyal even unto death
2. to a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons
   • looked sick and felt even worse
   • an even (or still) more interesting problem
   • still another problem must be solved
   • a yet sadder tale
3. in spite of; notwithstanding
   • even when he is sick, he works
   • even with his head start she caught up with him
4. used as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected
   • even an idiot knows that
   • declined even to consider the idea
   • I don't have even a dollar!

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