even
1on the same level; in the same plane or line; parallel: even with the ground.
free from variations or fluctuations; regular: even motion.
uniform in action, character, or quality: to hold an even course.
equal in measure or quantity: Add even amounts of oil and vinegar.
divisible by two, as a number (opposed to odd).
denoted by such a number: the even pages of a book.
exactly expressible in integers, or in tens, hundreds, etc., without fractional parts: an even seven miles.
Mathematics. (of a function) having a sign that remains the same when the sign of each independent variable is changed at the same time.
equally balanced or divided; equal: Check to see if the scales are even.
leaving no balance of debt on either side; square: We will not be even until I can repay him for saving my life.
equitable, impartial, or fair: an even bargain.
evenly: The road ran even over the fields.
still; yet (used to emphasize a comparative): even more suitable.
(used to suggest that something mentioned as a possibility constitutes an extreme case or an unlikely instance): Even the slightest noise disturbs him. Even if he attends, he may not participate.
just (used to emphasize occurrence, coincidence, or simultaneousness of occurrences): Even as he lay dying, they argued over his estate.
fully or quite: even to death.
indeed (used as an intensive for stressing the identity or truth of something): He is willing, even eager, to do it.
exactly or precisely: It was even so.
to make even; level; smooth (sometimes followed by out): to even a board with a plane.
to place in an even state as to claim or obligation; balance (often followed by up): to even up accounts.
to become even: The odds evened before the race.
even out,
to make or become even, smooth, or flat: The wrinkles will even out when the suit dries.
to become equal, balanced, stable, etc.: optimistic that the situation would even out eventually.
Idioms about even
break even, to have one's profits equal one's losses; neither gain nor lose: The company barely broke even last year.
get even, to be revenged; retaliate: He vowed to get even for the insult.
Origin of even
1synonym study For even
Other words for even
Opposites for even
Other words from even
- e·ven·er, noun
- e·ven·ly, adverb
- e·ven·ness, noun
Other definitions for even (2 of 3)
evening; eve.
Origin of even
2Other definitions for Even (3 of 3)
a member of a Siberian people living mainly in the Yakut Autonomous Republic in the Russian Federation.
the Tungusic language spoken by the Even.
Origin of Even
3- Also called Lamut.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use even in a sentence
Divide the mixture evenly among the crème brûlée dishes, including any juices that collect.
The Barefoot Contessa Knows How To Make Us Crumble | Ina Garten | November 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe group would be almost evenly split between men and women, for one thing.
Is It Time to Take a Chance on Random Representatives? | Michael Schulson | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis has been roughly evenly divided between groups supporting Tillis and Hagan.
In Tarheel State, Democratic Senate Incumbent Bucks National GOP Trend | Ben Jacobs | October 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe American public is more or less evenly split on the question of physician-assisted death in the case of terminal illness.
The Beautiful Newlywed Who Made the Right Change Its Mind on Physician-Assisted Death | Samantha Allen | October 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd although the dust has far from cleared, it appears to be an evenly fought match down to the end.
Populists Go Down in Battle for the Soul of the Democratic Party | David Freedlander | September 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Lessard uttered the command evenly, without a jarring note, his tone almost a duplicate of MacRae's.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairLight-colored cigars usually burn freer and more evenly than dark ones.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.Every evenly numbered hole is kept on the lower row, and the oddly numbered holes are raised up to form a second row.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building | George Laing MillerPerhaps they thought them so nearly divided, and so almost evenly balanced, that the one neutralised the other.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowThey were tangled, too, and Jess cut them off evenly by a string, with Violet's little scissors.
The Box-Car Children | Gertrude Chandler Warner
British Dictionary definitions for even (1 of 2)
/ (ˈiːvən) /
level and regular; flat: an even surface
(postpositive foll by with) on the same level or in the same plane (as): one surface even with another
without variation or fluctuation; regular; constant: an even rate of progress
not readily moved or excited; placid; calm: an even temper
equally balanced between two sides: an even game
equal or identical in number, quantity, etc: two even spoonfuls of sugar
(of a number) divisible by two
characterized or indicated by such a number: maps are on the even pages Compare odd (def. 4)
relating to or denoting two or either of two alternatives, events, etc, that have an equal probability: an even chance of missing or catching a train
having no balance of debt; neither owing nor being owed
just and impartial; fair: an even division
exact in number, amount, or extent: an even pound
equal, as in score; level: now the teams are even
maths (of a function) unchanged in value when the sign of the independent variable is changed, as in y = z ²: See odd (def. 8)
even money
a bet in which the winnings are the same as the amount staked
(as modifier): the even-money favourite
get even informal to exact revenge (on); settle accounts (with)
of even date law formal, or obsolete of the same or today's date
(intensifier; used to suggest that the content of a statement is unexpected or paradoxical): even an idiot can do that
(intensifier; used with comparative forms): this is even better
notwithstanding; in spite of: even having started late she soon caught him up
used to introduce a more precise version of a word, phrase, or statement: he is base, even depraved
used preceding a clause of supposition or hypothesis to emphasize the implication that whether or not the condition in it is fulfilled, the statement in the main clause remains valid: even if she died he wouldn't care
archaic that is to say; namely (used for emphasis): he, even he, hath spoken these things
archaic all the way; fully: I love thee even unto death
even as (conjunction) at the very same moment or in the very same way that: even as I spoke, it thundered
even so in spite of any assertion to the contrary: nevertheless
to make or become even
Origin of even
1- See also break even, even out, evens, even up
Derived forms of even
- evener, noun
- evenly, adverb
- evenness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for even (2 of 2)
/ (ˈiːvən) /
Origin of even
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for even
[ ē′vən ]
Divisible by 2 with a remainder of 0, such as 12 or 876.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with even
In addition to the idioms beginning with even
- even money
- even so
also see:
- break even
- never give a sucker an even break
- on an even keel
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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