even
//ˈiːvən//
Forms
- Comparative
- evener
- Superlative
- evenest
- present (v1)
- even
- past (v2)
- evened
- past participle (v3)
- evened
- present participle
- evening
- 3rd person singular
- evens
Definitions
1.Flat and level.
- Clear out those rocks. The surface must be even.
2.Without great variation.
- Despite her fear, she spoke in an even voice.
3.Equal in proportion, quantity, size, etc.
- The distribution of food must be even.
4.Of an integer, divisible by two.
- Four, fourteen and forty are even numbers.
1.To make flat and level.
- This temple Xerxes evened with the soil.
- We need to even this playing field; the west goal is too low.
1.In reality (used to imply an extreme example in the case mentioned).
- That was before I was even born.
- Did you even make it through the front door?
- Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes.
2.Used to emphasise a comparative.
- I was strong before, but now I am even stronger.
3.Used to indicate a further degree of comparison.
- Bob is taller than Alice, but Cameron is even taller than Bob.
Frequency
Overall
Very common· #111
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Common
- General reading & writing
- Very common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Uncommon
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English even, from Old English efn (“flat; level, even, equal”), from Proto-West Germanic *ebn, from Proto-Germanic *ebnaz, from Proto-Indo-European *(h₁)em-no- (“equal, straight; flat, level, even”).