Even Meaning
Even Definition & Usage
Equal in degree, extent, or amount; balanced.
Examples
- "The team played on even ground during the match."
- "They are evenly matched, with no clear winner."
- "The surface of the table is not even, which makes it hard to write on."
- "Despite their differences, the two players were on even terms."
- "Her voice remained even throughout the interview, despite the pressure."
To a consistent, regular, or flat extent.
Examples
- "The rain continued even after midnight."
- "She spoke even slower when explaining the difficult concepts."
- "They are working even harder this season than last."
- "He was even more confused by the new regulations than the previous ones."
- "The movie was even better than I expected!"
To make something smooth, flat, or level.
Examples
- "She evened out the wrinkles in her dress before going to the meeting."
- "The carpenter is going to even the floor before laying down the tiles."
- "He tried to even the score by scoring a goal just before the end of the match."
- "She evened the stakes by adding her own money to the bet."
- "I’ll need to even out the paint to avoid streaks."
Cultural Context
The word 'even' has its origins in Old English, where it was used to describe something flat or smooth. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass a sense of balance or equality in various contexts, both literal and figurative.
The Evening that Evened Everything Out
Story
The Evening that Evened Everything Out
One chilly evening, Sarah sat on her balcony, gazing out at the calm river. The wind had been blowing steadily all day, but now, as dusk settled in, it seemed to even out, leaving the water smooth and calm. She thought about her latest challenges. She had been trying to make things even between her and her younger brother, Tom, after a long-standing disagreement over their family business. Tom had always been a bit reckless, making impulsive decisions, while Sarah preferred a more measured approach. But recently, their company had hit a rough patch, and she realized that they needed to work together. Sarah’s decision to offer him an even share of the profits was a bold step, but one she knew would help even the playing field between them. It was time for a fresh start. As the night deepened, Sarah received a call from Tom. ‘I’ve been thinking about what you said,’ he began. ‘I know I haven’t been as even-tempered as I should have been. Let’s talk about the next steps tomorrow.’ Sarah smiled, feeling a sense of relief. The conversation had gone even better than she had expected. In that moment, everything felt aligned. The sky had cleared, and even the stars seemed to shine with a soft, even glow. It was a perfect end to a long day of unspoken tension. Tomorrow, they would face the future, together, on even terms, with their differences laid aside for the time being.
Related Words
