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adj. 1. a. Having a horizontal surface; flat: an even floor. b. Having no irregularities, roughness, or indentations; smooth. See Synonyms at level. c. Being in the same plane or line; parallel: The picture is even with the window. 2. a. Having no variations or fluctuations; uniform: the even rhythm of his breathing. b. Of uniform distribution: an even application of varnish. c. Placid; calm: an even temperament. 3. a. Equal or identical in degree, extent, or amount: Use even amounts of butter and sugar. b. Equally matched or balanced: an even fight. c. Just; fair: an even bargain. d. Having nothing due on either side; square: If we each take half, then we'll be even. e. Having exacted full revenge: He finally got even with his betrayer. 4. Having equal probability; as likely as not: an even chance of winning. 5. Sports a. Having an equal score: The teams are even at halftime. b. Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score. 6. Mathematics a. Exactly divisible by 2. b. Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2. 7. a. Having an even number in a sequence. b. Having an even number of members. 8. Having an exact amount, extent, or number; precise: an even pound; an even foot. adv. 1. a. To a greater degree or extent. Used as an intensive with comparative adjectives and adverbs: This painting is good, but that one is even better. b. Indeed; moreover. Used as an intensive: He was happy, even ecstatic. Even a child knows better. c. Used as an intensive to indicate something that is unexpected: declined even to consider the idea. 2. At the same time as; already; just: Even as we watched, the turtle emerged from its shell. 3. To a degree that extends; fully: loyal even unto death. 4. Exactly; precisely: It was even as he said: the jewel was gone. tr. & intr.v. e·vened, e·ven·ing, e·vens Idiom: To make or become even. on an even keel In a stable or unimpaired state: "There was good reason to keep relations with Washington on an even keel" (Helen Kitchen). [Middle English, from Old English efen.] even·er n. even·ly adv. even·ness n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. Archaic Evening. [Middle English, from Old English ǣfen.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
