Even vs. Evan — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 7, 2023
"Even" is an adjective describing uniformity or an adverb for emphasis, while "Evan" is a male given name.
Difference Between Even and Evan
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Even" as an adjective signifies balance and equality, as in an even surface. As an adverb, it can mean 'indeed' or 'actually' to emphasize a statement. It also represents numerical parity, indicating numbers divisible by two.
"Evan" is a common male first name of Welsh origin, meaning "the Lord is gracious." It's used exclusively as a proper noun, specifically as a personal name and doesn't have other grammatical forms.
In usage, "even" is flexible; it can modify adjectives, participate in idiomatic expressions like "even so," or indicate surprise in a statement like "even I didn't know that."
"Evan," being a proper noun, is always capitalized and doesn't change form. It can be a first or last name but does not convey any meaning beyond its function as a name.
Both words are pronounced differently, with "even" having a short 'e' sound, while "Evan" starts with a long 'e' sound. Their uses are entirely distinct, with no overlap in meaning or function.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective/adverb/numeral
Proper noun (name)
Meaning
Uniform, flat, or equal; divisible by two
A male given name, meaning "the Lord is gracious"
Use in a Sentence
Descriptive or emphatic
Used to refer to a person
Pronunciation
Short 'e' sound: /ˈiː.vən/
Long 'e' sound: /ˈiː.væn/
Grammatical Forms
Can be used in comparative and superlative forms (e.g., "more even," "most even")
No other forms; always capitalized
Compare with Definitions
Even
Indicating surprise or contradiction.
Even I was surprised by the twist in the story.
Evan
A male given name.
Evan decided to go for a walk.
Even
The end of the day; evening
Bring it to my house this even
Evan
Can sometimes be used as a last name.
Mr. Evan will be joining the company next week.
Even
Flat and smooth
Prepare the site, then lay an even bed of mortar
Evan
Derived from John, meaning "God is gracious."
Evan's kindness reflects the meaning of his name.
Even
Equal in number, amount, or value
An even gender balance among staff and students
Evan
Common in English-speaking countries.
Evan is a popular name in the United States.
Even
(of a number, such as 2, 6, or 108) divisible by two without a remainder
Any number doubled is even
A meter that reads only in even numbers
Evan
Occasionally used in literary contexts.
The main character in the novel was named Evan.
Even
Make or become even
She cut the hair again to even up the ends
It's not exactly revenge I want, but I'd like things evened up
Thereafter prices evened out
Evan
Evan is a Welsh masculine given name derived from "Iefan", a Welsh form for the name John. In other languages it could be compared to "Ivan", "Ian", and "Juan"; the name John itself is derived from the ancient Hebrew name יְהֹוחָנָן Yəhôḥānān, which means "Yahweh is gracious".
Even
Used to emphasize something surprising or extreme
They have never even heard of the United States
They wore fur hats, even in summer
Even
Having a horizontal surface; flat
An even floor.
Even
Having no irregularities, roughness, or indentations; smooth.
Even
Being in the same plane or line; parallel
The picture is even with the window.
Even
Having no variations or fluctuations; uniform
The even rhythm of his breathing.
Even
Of uniform distribution
An even application of varnish.
Even
Placid; calm
An even temperament.
Even
Equal or identical in degree, extent, or amount
Use even amounts of butter and sugar.
Even
Equally matched or balanced
An even fight.
Even
Just; fair
An even bargain.
Even
Having nothing due on either side; square
If we each take half, then we'll be even.
Even
Having exacted full revenge
He finally got even with his betrayer.
Even
Having equal probability; as likely as not
An even chance of winning.
Even
Having an equal score
The teams are even at halftime.
Even
Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score.
Even
Exactly divisible by 2.
Even
Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2.
Even
Having an even number in a sequence.
Even
Having an even number of members.
Even
Having an exact amount, extent, or number; precise
An even pound.
An even foot.
Even
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.
Even
Indeed; moreover. Used as an intensive
He was happy, even ecstatic. Even a child knows better.
Even
Used as an intensive to indicate something that is unexpected
Declined even to consider the idea.
Even
At the same time as; already; just
Even as we watched, the turtle emerged from its shell.
Even
To a degree that extends; fully
Loyal even unto death.
Even
Exactly; precisely
It was even as he said.
Even
To make or become even.
Even
Evening.
Even
Flat and level.
Clear out those rocks. The surface must be even.
Even
Without great variation.
Despite her fear, she spoke in an even voice.
Even
Equal in proportion, quantity, size, etc.
The distribution of food must be even.
Call it even.
Even
Divisible by two.
Four, fourteen and forty are even numbers.
Even
(of a number) Convenient for rounding other numbers to; for example, ending in a zero.
Even
On equal monetary terms; neither owing nor being owed.
Even
(colloquial) On equal terms of a moral sort; quits.
You biffed me back at the barn, and I biffed you here—so now we're even.
Even
Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit.
Even
(obsolete) Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure.
Even
(obsolete) Associate; fellow; of the same condition.
Even
(transitive) To make flat and level.
We need to even this playing field; the west goal is too low.
Even
To equal or equate; to make the same.
Even
To be equal.
Thrice nine evens twenty seven.
RQ:Carew Survey of Cornwall
Even
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.
We need to even the score.
Even
To set right; to complete.
Even
To act up to; to keep pace with.
Even
(archaic) Exactly, just, fully.
I fulfilled my instructions even as I had promised.
You are leaving tonight? — Even so.
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
Even
In reality; implying an extreme example in the case mentioned, as compared to the implied reality.
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes.
Did you even make it through the front door?
That was before I was even born.
Even
Emphasizing a comparative.
I was strong before, but now I am even stronger.
Even
Signalling a correction of one's previous utterance; rather, that is.
My favorite actor is Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicholson, even.
Even
An even number.
So let's see. There are two evens here and three odds.
Even
Evening.
Even
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.
Even
Equable; not easily ruffled or disturbed; calm; uniformly self-possessed; as, an even temper.
Even
Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit.
And shall lay thee even with the ground.
Even
Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable; impartial; just to both sides; 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.
Even
Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure.
Even
Associate; fellow; of the same condition.
Even
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.
Even
To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth.
His temple Xerxes evened with the soil.
It will even all inequalities
Even
To equal.
Even
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; to make equal; as, to even the score.
Even
To set right; to complete.
Even
To act up to; to keep pace with.
Even
To be equal.
Even
In an equal or precisely similar manner; equally; precisely; just; likewise; as well.
Even so did these Gauls possess the coast.
Even
Up to, or down to, an unusual measure or level; so much as; fully; quite.
Thou wast a soldierEven to Cato's wish.
Without . . . making us even sensible of the change.
Even
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.
Even
At the very time; in the very case.
I knew they were bad enough to please, even when I wrote them.
By these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer.
Even
Make level or straight;
Level the ground
Even
Become even or more even;
Even out the surface
Even
Make even or more even
Even
Divisible by two
Even
Equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced;
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
Even
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
Even
Symmetrically arranged;
Even features
Regular features
A regular polygon
Even
Occurring at fixed intervals;
A regular beat
The even rhythm of his breathing
Even
Of the score in a contest;
The score is tied
Even
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!
Even
In spite of; notwithstanding;
Even when he is sick, he works
Even with his head start she caught up with him
Even
To a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons;
Looked sick and felt even worse
An even (or still) more interesting problem
Still another problem must be solved
A yet sadder tale
Even
To the full extent;
Loyal even unto death
Even
Flat and smooth.
The carpenter ensured the table was perfectly even.
Even
Equal in amount, number, or size.
They shared the profits even among all members.
Even
At the same level or in the same position.
By the end of the race, the runners were even.
Even
Numbers divisible by two.
Four and six are even numbers.
Common Curiosities
What is the origin of the name "Evan"?
It's of Welsh origin, from "Ieuan" or "Ioan."
What does "even" describe?
Uniformity, balance, or being divisible by two.
Is "even" always related to numbers?
Not always, it can describe equality or uniformity too.
Does "Evan" have any synonyms?
No, being a proper noun, it doesn't have synonyms.
Is "Evan" a common name?
Yes, especially in English-speaking countries.
What is the comparative form of "even"?
"More even" is the comparative form.
Is "Evan" gender-specific?
Yes, typically a male first name.
Can "even" be used as a verb?
No, it's an adjective, adverb, or numeral.
Does "Evan" have a specific meaning in different cultures?
It retains its basic meaning but can have cultural variations.
Can "even" start a sentence?
Yes, often to emphasize a point.
Does "Evan" change form in different contexts?
No, it remains the same as it's a name.
What does "not even" imply?
It negates the statement for emphasis.
Can "even" be used to express surprise?
Yes, as in "Even I didn’t know that."
Is there a feminine version of "Evan"?
"Eva" is considered a feminine counterpart.
Are there any famous people named "Evan"?
Yes, Evan Spiegel, co-founder of Snapchat, for example.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
