How to pronounce even
Say it like EE-vin. Even has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce even. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EE
- vin
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Even pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- vinKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of even
American and British speakers say even in essentially the same way: /ˈivɪn/ in the US and /ˈiːvən/ in the UK.
British respelling: EE-vun.
What does even mean?
- divisible by two
- equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced“even amounts of butter and sugar”“on even terms”
- 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”
- used as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected“even an idiot knows that”“declined even to consider the idea”
- in spite of; notwithstanding“even when he is sick, he works”“even with his head start she caught up with him”
- to a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons“looked sick and felt even worse”“an even (or still) more interesting problem”
- the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)“he enjoyed the evening light across the lake”
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying even
How do you pronounce even?
Say EE-vin. The American pronunciation is /ˈivɪn/. In British English it is /ˈiːvən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in even?
Even has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE). Broken into parts: EE · vin.
Do Americans and Brits say even the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈivɪn/ and the British form is /ˈiːvən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.