even

I UK [ˈiːv(ə)n] / US [ˈɪv(ə)n] adverb ***

Summary:

Even is used for emphasis mainly before a word, a phrase, or a clause beginning with "as", "if", or "though". When emphasizing verbs, even comes before an ordinary verb: They even served champagne at breakfast. But even comes after an auxiliary verb, a modal verb, or the verb "to be": She doesn't even know his name. ♦ Some computers can even talk to you. Sometimes even is used after a word for emphasis: São Paulo is a huge city, larger even than New York. ♦ The task might be difficult, impossible even.

1) used for showing that you are saying something that is surprising

It always feels cold in this room, even in summer.

Even the dog refused to eat it.

Lucy's face brightened a little – she even managed to smile.

not even:

He never stopped working, not even at Christmas.

They didn't even offer me a cup of tea.

even now (= used for saying it is surprising that something still continues):

Even now, after all these years, he cannot mention her name without crying.

even then (= used for saying that something is surprising after what has happened):

They're going to spend £5 billion on our railway network, and even then it won't be as good as the French system.

2) used for emphasizing that although something is big, good, bad etc, something else is bigger, better, worse etc

She admits things are bad, but argues they were even worse under the previous government.

If anything, local people are treated even more harshly than foreigners.

3) used for adding a more extreme word or phrase to emphasize what you have just said

Her latest novel was very good, even brilliant.

The quarrel might have ended in violence – murder, even.

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- even as

- even if

- even so

- even though

II UK [ˈiːv(ə)n] / US [ˈɪv(ə)n] adjective *

1) flat and level, without any holes or raised areas

the smooth even surface of the snow

The table kept wobbling because the floor wasn't quite even.

2) not changing much in rate, level, or amount

The room should be kept at an even temperature.

He was perfectly relaxed, and his breathing was quiet and even.

3)

a) equal in amount

the need for a more even balance between work and recreation

b) involving two people or groups who are equal in ability, skill, or achievement

The first half of the game was a good even contest.

4) similar in size and arranged in a level line with equal spaces between

She smiled, showing her small even teeth.

5) calm and controlled

"I think you are mistaken," Theresa said, in an even tone.

6) an even number can be divided exactly by two. For example 2, 4, and 6 are even numbers.

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get/be even (with someone) — informal to punish or to have punished someone by causing them as much trouble or harm as they have caused you

I'll get even with him if it's the last thing I do.

have an even chance (of doing something) — to be equally likely to succeed or fail in doing something

The Democrats probably have an even chance of holding on to that seat.

- be even

See:

break I, keel I

III UK [ˈiːv(ə)n] / US [ˈɪv(ə)n] verb [transitive]
Word forms "even":
present tense I/you/we/they even he/she/it evens present participle evening past tense evened past participle evened

to make the scores of two players or teams the same in a game or competition

Larmer's shot evened the score 50 seconds into the second half.

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- even the score

Phrasal verbs:

- even out

- even up

IV UK [ˈiːv(ə)n] / US [ˈɪv(ə)n] noun [uncountable] literary

evening

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See:

evens