evenly
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for evenly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — In equal amounts or to an equal degree.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use evenly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English efenlīċe, built from even + -ly.
Full origin of evenly →Frequently asked questions
What does “evenly” mean?
The word “evenly” means in equal amounts or to an equal degree. In plain terms, equally, or smoothly and without variation.
How do you pronounce “evenly”?
“Evenly” is pronounced EE-vuhn-lee (/ˈiːvənli/ in IPA).
How do you use “evenly” in a sentence?
Here is “evenly” used in a sentence: “Split the money evenly between the three of you.”
What part of speech is “evenly”?
“Evenly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “evenly” come from?
The word “evenly” comes from Old English. From Old English efenlīċe, built from even + -ly.
Is “evenly” a common word?
“Evenly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “evenly” have?
“Evenly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in equal amounts or to an equal degree.
What is the difference between evenly and equally?
Evenly often emphasises a smooth, balanced distribution or texture, as in spreading paint evenly across a surface, while equally emphasises identical amounts or shares, as in dividing money equally. In many contexts they overlap, but evenly is preferred when describing consistency or lack of variation, and equally when describing exact sameness in quantity.
What is the difference between evenly and unevenly?
Evenly describes something distributed or applied in equal amounts or smoothly without variation, while unevenly describes the opposite: uneven distribution, inconsistency, or bumpiness. A team can be evenly matched, meaning the sides are balanced, or unevenly matched, meaning one side is clearly stronger.
What are common collocations with evenly?
Evenly is frequently paired with verbs like spread, distribute, divide, split, and match, and with adjectives such as evenly balanced or evenly spaced. These phrases describe things arranged in equal amounts or smoothly across a space, such as evenly spaced shelves or an evenly matched contest.