even

/ˈivən/

/ˈivən/

Other forms: evened; evens; evener; evenest

Even means level and flat. When you're planning to build one of your famously elaborate sandcastles on the beach, you probably make sure the sand is even before you start.

Something smooth and regular, like a wall that's prepped for painting, is even. Even also describes a balance like when you give all the kids an even amount of candy, or something that is calm, like a person who has an even temper. In math, an even number is one that can be divided by two without a remainder. The adverb even is used to emphasize something, like when your friend doesn't even see you waving frantically at her.

Definitions of even

1. adjective

   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”

   synonyms:

   flat, level, plane

   having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

   flatbottom, flatbottomed

   having a flat bottom

   flush

   of a surface exactly even with an adjoining one, forming the same plane

   justified

   having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins

   lap-jointed

   jointed so as to produce a flush surface

   straight-grained

   of timber; having fibers that run in parallel

   level

   oriented at right angles to the plumb

   straight, true

   accurately fitted; level

   smooth

   having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

   steady

   not subject to change or variation especially in behavior

   antonyms:

   uneven

   not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture

   crinkled, crinkly, rippled, wavelike, wavy

   uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves

   cross-grained, curly-grained, wavy-grained

   of timber; having fibers running irregularly rather than in parallel

   irregular

   (of a surface or shape); not level or flat or symmetrical

   jagged, jaggy, scraggy

   having a sharply uneven surface or outline

   lumpy

   having lumps; not smooth and even in texture

   out of true, untrue

   not accurately fitted; not level

   patchy

   irregular or uneven in quality, texture, etc.

   pebble-grained

   (of leather) having a rough surface as the result of being treated with a patterned roller

   ragged

   having an irregular outline

   unparallel

   not straight or parallel

   rough, unsmooth

   having or caused by an irregular surface

   unsteady

   subject to change or variation
2. adjective

   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”

   synonyms: fifty-fifty

   equal

   having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
3. adjective

   symmetrically arranged
   “even features”

   synonyms: regular

   symmetric, symmetrical

   having similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding parts
4. adjective

   occurring at fixed intervals
   “the even rhythm of his breathing”

   synonyms: regular

   steady

   not subject to change or variation especially in behavior
5. adjective

   of the score in a contest
   synonyms: level, tied

   equal

   having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
6. verb

   make level or straight
   synonyms: even out, flush, level

   types:

   grade

   level to the right gradient

   strickle, strike

   smooth with a strickle

   strickle

   level off with a strickle in a measuring container

   aggrade

   build up to a level by depositing sediment

   type of:

   change surface

   undergo or cause to undergo a change in the surface
7. verb

   make even or more even
   synonyms: even out

   type of:

   regularise, regularize

   make regular or more regular
8. verb

   become even or more even
   “even out the surface”

   synonyms: even out

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
9. adjective

   divisible by two
   antonyms:

   odd

   not divisible by two
10. adverb

    used as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected
    “declined even to consider the idea”

    “I don't have even a dollar!”
11. adverb

    in spite of; notwithstanding
    “even when he is sick, he works”

    “even with his head start she caught up with him”
12. adverb

    to a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons
    “looked sick and felt even worse”

    “an even (or still) more interesting problem”

    synonyms: still, yet
13. adverb

    to the full extent
    “loyal even unto death”
14. noun

    the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
    synonyms: eve, evening, eventide

    types:

    guest night

    an evening when members of a club or college can bring their friends as guests

    type of:

    day, daylight, daytime

    the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside