even Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
    eventide; evening; eve.
    • he enjoyed the evening light across the lake
  2. verb make level or straight
    even out; level; flush.
    • level the ground
  3. verb become even or more even
    even out.
    • even out the surface
  4. verb make even or more even
    even out.
  5. adjective divisible by two
  6. adjective satellite equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced
    fifty-fifty.
    • 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
  7. 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
  8. adjective satellite symmetrically arranged
    regular.
    • even features
    • regular features
    • a regular polygon
  9. adjective satellite occurring at fixed intervals
    regular.
    • a regular beat
    • the even rhythm of his breathing
  10. adjective satellite of the score in a contest
    tied; level.
    • the score is tied
  11. adverb 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!
  12. adverb in spite of; notwithstanding
    • even when he is sick, he works
    • even with his head start she caught up with him
  13. adverb to a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons
    still; yet.
    • looked sick and felt even worse
    • an even (or still) more interesting problem
    • still another problem must be solved
    • a yet sadder tale
  14. adverb to the full extent
    • loyal even unto death

WordNet

E"ven noun
Etymology
OE. eve, even, efen, æfen. AS. æfen; akin to OS. aband, OFries, avend, D. avond, OHG. aband, Icel. aptan, Sw. afton, Dan. aften; of unknown origin. Cf. Eve, Evening.
Definitions
  1. Evening. See Eve, n. 1. Poetic. Shak.
E"ven adjective
Etymology
AS. efen. efn; akin to OS. eban, D. even, OHG. eban, G. efen, Icel. jafn, Dan. jevn, Sw. jämn, Goth. ibns. Cf. Anent, Ebb.
Definitions
  1. Level, smooth, or equal in surface; not rough; free from irregularities; hence uniform in rate of motion of action; as, even ground; an even speed; an even course of conduct.
  2. Equable; not easily ruffed or disturbed; calm; uniformly self-possessed; as, an even temper.
  3. Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit.
    And shall lay thee even with the ground. Luke xix. 44.
  4. Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable; impartial; just to both side; owing nothing on either side; -- said of accounts, bargains, or persons indebted; as, our accounts are even; an even bargain.
    To make the even truth in pleasure flow. Shak.
  5. Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure. "I know my life so even." Shak.
  6. Associate; fellow; of the same condition. Obs. "His even servant." Wyclif (Matt.).
  7. Not odd; capable of division by two without a remainder; -- said of numbers; as, 4 and 10 are even numbers.
    Whether the number of the stars is even or odd. Jer. Taylor.
E"ven transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Evened ; present participle & verbal noun Evening
Definitions
  1. To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth.
    His temple Xerxes evened with the soil. Sir. W. Raleigh.
    It will even all inequalities Evelyn.
  2. To equal Obs. "To even him in valor." Fuller.
  3. To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits. Shak.
  4. To set right; to complete.
  5. To act up to; to keep pace with. Shak.
E"ven intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be equal. Obs. R. Carew.
E"ven adverb
Etymology
AS. efne. See Even, a., and cf. E'en.
Definitions
  1. In an equal or precisely similar manner; equally; precisely; just; likewise; as well. "Is it even so?" Shak.
    Even so did these Gauls possess the coast. Spenser.
  2. Up to, or down to, an unusual measure or level; so much as; fully; quite.
    Thou wast a soldier Even to Cato's wish. Shak.
    Without . . . making us even sensible of the change. Swift.
  3. As might not be expected; -- serving to introduce what is unexpected or less expected.
    I have made several discoveries, which appear new, even to those who are versed in critical learning. Addison.
  4. At the very time; in the very case.
    I knew they were had enough to please, even when I wrote them. Dryden.
    ✍ Even is sometimes used to emphasize a word or phrase. "I have debated even in my soul." Shak.
    By these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer. Shak.

Webster 1913