even
EE-vuhn
Even (adj) means Flat, level, or smooth. Example: “Make sure the shelf is even before you fix it in place.”
adj
1
Flat, level, or smooth.
"Make sure the shelf is even before you fix it in place."
"Find an even surface before you set up the table."
"The path was smooth and even, so the pushchair rolled easily."
2
Equal or balanced; showing no strong variation.
"The score was even at halftime."
"She kept an even temper throughout the argument."
"The two runners were so even that the race ended in a tie."
3
Of a number, exactly divisible by two.
"Four and six are even numbers."
"House numbers on this side of the street are all even."
"Is twelve an even number or an odd one?"
adv
1
Used to emphasize something surprising or extreme.
"He didn't even say thank you."
"Even the experts were stumped by the puzzle."
"It was so cold that even the ducks stayed away from the pond."
verb
1
To make level, equal, or balanced.
"The two goals evened the score before the break."
"A late goal evened the match and sent it to extra time."
"Use sandpaper to even the edges of the wooden board."
How to use even
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLevel or equal — or, as an adverb, a word that adds emphasis to something unexpected.
Common pairings
even ground
even numbers
even out
even so
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Word forms
- Plural
- evens
- Third person singular
- evens
- Past tense
- evened
- Comparative
- evener, more even
- Superlative
- evenest, most even
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Make sure the shelf is _____ before you fix it in place.
Etymology
From Old English efn ("level, equal"), from Proto-Germanic *ebnaz — related to German eben and Dutch even.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for even
See all rhymes for even →Frequently asked questions
What does “even” mean?
The word “even” means flat, level, or smooth. In plain terms, level or equal — or, as an adverb, a word that adds emphasis to something unexpected.
How do you pronounce “even”?
“Even” is pronounced EE-vuhn (/ˈiːvən/ in IPA).
How do you use “even” in a sentence?
Here is “even” used in a sentence: “Make sure the shelf is even before you fix it in place.”
What is another word for “even”?
Words with a similar meaning to “even” include level, uniform, monotone, on par, quits and square.
What is the opposite of “even”?
The opposite of “even” — its antonyms — are uneven and odd.
What part of speech is “even”?
Depending on how it is used, “even” can be an adjective, an adverb and a verb.
Where does the word “even” come from?
The word “even” comes from Old English. From Old English efn ("level, equal"), from Proto-Germanic *ebnaz — related to German eben and Dutch even.
Is “even” a common word?
“Even” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between even and level?
Even means free from bumps, dips, or roughness — an even surface is smooth and consistent. Level means horizontal, with no slope in any direction. A floor can be even but not level if it is smooth yet gently tilted, and level but not even if it is horizontal but cracked and rough.
Can a surface be even but not flat?
In everyday use even, flat, and smooth overlap heavily, but there is a shade of difference. Even stresses uniformity — no part sticks up higher than another. A curved ramp can be perfectly even and smooth without being flat, because flat implies a straight, horizontal plane while even simply means regular and free of irregularities.
What is the opposite of even?
In this sense the opposite of even is uneven — a surface that is bumpy, rough, or irregular, with some parts higher than others. A pothole-filled road, a lumpy mattress, or crooked paving are all uneven. Note that even also has an unrelated number meaning, whose opposite is odd.
What is an example of 'even' meaning level?
You might say 'Sand the board until it is even,' 'We need even ground to pitch the tent,' or 'Spread the icing in an even layer.' In each case even describes a smooth, regular surface with no bumps or dips — nothing raised or sunken to spoil the finish.
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