even
adjective
UK/ˈiː.vən/US/ˈiː.vən/
Fair and impartial; without favoritism.
Example Sentences
The judge remained even and unbiased throughout the trial.
She is known for her even-handed approach to conflict resolution.
An even assessment ensures that all parties are treated equally.
The referee made even decisions to maintain fairness in the game.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
adverb
UK/ˈiː.vən/US/ˈiː.vən/
Also; too.
Example Sentences
She wants to go to the party, and I do even.
If you finish your work early, you can leave even.
He didn't just win the race; he set a new record even.
They invited everyone, even those who usually stay home.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/ˈiː.vən/US/ˈiː.vən/
To make flat or smooth; to level.
Example Sentences
She evened the surface of the cake before adding the frosting.
He used a trowel to even the soil in the garden bed.
They need to even out the ground before laying the foundation.
The artist evened the paint on the canvas to create a uniform background.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Conveys balance, equality, or surprise in numbers, situations, or emphasis.“Even” serves multiple roles in English, acting primarily as an adjective or adverb. As an adjective, it describes things that are level, uniform, or divisible by two—such as an “even surface” or “even numbers.” Used as an adverb, it adds emphasis or surprise, appearing in contexts like “He even remembered my birthday,” to underline an unexpected action, or “Even now, she continues her research,” highlighting a prolonged situation. “Even” often introduces a stronger or more remarkable point: “He runs every morning—he even ran in yesterday’s storm!” You can also see it in comparisons, as in “even better,” to intensify a statement, or “even though,” to indicate a concession. In instructions or everyday speech, “make sure the table is even” means it’s balanced or level. This word’s versatility appears in formal and informal settings alike, whether you’re ensuring numbers in a dataset are even or emphasizing a surprising development in conversation. By pairing “even” with precise contexts—like comparisons, leveling instructions, or surprising facts—you help others grasp its nuanced meaning and emphasis.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for words that can replace or supplement “even” in certain contexts, consider “still,” “yet,” “flat,” or “balanced,” depending on how you want to use it. When highlighting an ongoing or persistent condition, “still” can substitute the adverb form—“He still remembered my birthday.” If you need to introduce a contrast, “yet” works well, as in “He has many obligations, yet he remembered my birthday.” When focusing on the idea of uniformity or smoothness, you might use “flat,” especially in physical descriptions (e.g., “The table is perfectly flat”). Meanwhile, “balanced” can replace “even” in contexts emphasizing equality or symmetry, such as “a balanced distribution of work.” Each of these alternatives addresses a different nuance—ongoing actions, contrast, physical alignment, or equitable division. By selecting the word that best suits your purpose, you achieve more precision in everyday conversation, essays, or professional documents. Always consider context, tone, and the specific aspect of “even” you want to convey—whether it’s surprise, uniformity, or a state of continuation—so you choose the right replacement or companion term.
Writing
When writing with “even,” clarity and placement can amplify its effect. As an adverb, “even” often appears before the verb or phrase you want to emphasize—“He even solved the hardest puzzle.” Placing it strategically can shift the tone, stressing surprise (“Even they found it easy!”) or intensifying your argument (“It was even stronger than before”). If using “even” as an adjective, specify what’s being leveled or divided—“The hallway floors are always kept even,” underscoring a tidy, uniform condition. For more formal writing, consider whether synonyms such as “furthermore” or “likewise” might fit better if you’re just adding information without implying surprise. On the other hand, if you do intend to convey that element of unexpectedness, “even” is a succinct and powerful choice. Transitions like “even though,” “even if,” or “even when” add nuance to conditional or concessive statements—“Even if we leave now, we’ll still be late.” By pairing “even” with precise subjects and verbs, you maintain focus and avoid overuse. This subtle technique ensures your writing flows while retaining the expressive punch “even” provides, helping you strike the right balance between clarity, emphasis, and style.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, “even” is your go-to word for adding a little extra emphasis or surprise. You might hear a friend say, “He didn’t even show up to the party,” to stress their disappointment or disbelief. Phrases like “even now,” “even so,” or “even then” crop up a lot, conveying a sense of continuity, contrast, or surprise. For instance, “I told him I couldn’t stay long, and even then, he kept talking!” When you want to highlight an especially unexpected twist, you might exclaim, “I can’t believe they even asked you that question!” Whether you’re describing a routine scenario (“Even my cat agrees it’s time for dinner!”) or something astonishing (“She even climbed the highest peak!”), “even” helps punch up the story. It’s a quick, effortless way to make your everyday exchanges more expressive. That said, using “even” sparingly in casual conversation keeps the emphasis strong; if you lean on it too often, it loses some of its punch. Let it shine when you truly need that extra bit of ‘wow’ in your anecdotes or observations, whether texting friends or chatting over coffee.
Etymology
“Even” traces its origin to the Old English “e fn,” which meant ‘level’ or ‘equal,’ carrying the core idea of flatness and symmetry. This sense of balance has shaped how we see “even” today—dividing by two equally, maintaining uniform lines, or highlighting conditions without bumps or irregularities. Over centuries, the word also took on adverbial uses that emphasize events, surprises, or intensifiers, reflecting English’s evolution to describe both literal and figurative states of equality or difference. Interestingly, the mathematical usage (describing integers divisible by two) ties directly back to the notion of balanced halves. Meanwhile, the emphasis “even” provides in sentences—like “I even brought extra dessert”—stems from an extension of that concept, implying something that goes beyond or equals more than expected. Now deeply woven into everyday speech, “even” spans literal balance, mathematical division, and rhetorical surprise, showcasing how English continually adapts and expands from fundamental roots to meet the communication needs of each new era.
