You use even to suggest that what comes just after or just before it in the sentence is rather surprising.
He kept calling me for years, even after he got married.
Some of my remarks were so scathing that even Jane was surprised.
I cannot come to a decision about it now or even give any indication of my own views.
He didn't even hear what I said.
Synonyms: despite, in spite of, disregarding, notwithstanding More Synonyms of even
2. adverb
You use even with comparative adjectives and adverbs to emphasize a quality that someone or something has.
[emphasis]
It was on television that he made an even stronger impact as an interviewer.
During his second day Edward looked even more pale and quiet than on his first.
Stan was speaking even more slowly than usual.
Synonyms: all the more, much, still, yet More Synonyms of even
3.
See even though
4. phrase
If one thing happens even as something else happens, they both happen at exactly the same time.
[literary]
Even as she said this, she knew it was not quite true.
He had been aware, even as he slept, of the noise of the engine.
5.
See even so
6.
See even then
More Synonyms of even
even adjective uses
(iːvən)
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An even measurement or rate stays at about the same level.
How important is it to have an even temperature when you're working?
The brick-built property keeps the temperature at an even level throughout the year.
Synonyms: regular, stable, constant, steady More Synonyms of even
evenlyadverb [usually ADVERB after verb]
Stock is added evenly during the first 18 minutes while the mixture cooks.
He looked at Ellen, breathing evenly in her sleep.
2. adjective
An even surface is smooth and flat.
The tables are fitted with a glass top to provide an even surface.
Synonyms: level, straight, flat, plane More Synonyms of even
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If there is an even distribution or division of something, each person, group, or area involved has an equal amount.
Divide the dough into 12 even pieces and shape each piece into a ball.
Many would encourage more even distribution of resources.
Synonyms: equal, like, the same, matching More Synonyms of even
evenlyadverb [ADVERB after verb, ADVERB -ed]
The meat is divided evenly and boiled in a stew.
Within manufacturing, the loss of jobs has been far more evenly spread across theregions.
The blood vessels in the skin are not evenly distributed around the face and neck.
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An even contest or competition is equally balanced between the two sides who are taking part.
It was an even game.
...an even match between eight nations.
Synonyms: equally matched, level, tied, drawn More Synonyms of even
evenlyadverb [ADVERB -ed]
They must choose between two evenly matched candidates for governor.
5. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are even with someone, you do not owe them anything, such as money or a favour.
[informal]
You don't owe me. I don't owe you. We're even.
Synonyms: square, quits, on the same level, on an equal footing More Synonyms of even
6. adjective
If your voice is even, you are speaking in a very controlled way which makes it difficult for people to tell what your feelings are.
[literary]
My voice surprised me; it was even and emotionless.
evenlygraded adverb [ADVERB after verb]
'Is Mary Ann O.K?'—'She's fine,' she said evenly.
7. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An even number can be divided exactly by the number two.
8. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If there is an even chance that something will happen, it is no more likely that it will happen than it will not happen.
They have a more than even chance of winning the next election.
9. See also evens
10.
See to break even
11.
See get even
12. to be on an even keel
even phrasal verb uses
(iːvən)
Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense evens, present participle evening, past tense, past participle evened
Phrasal verbs:
See even out
See even up
even in British English1
(ˈiːvən)
adjective
1.
level and regular; flat
an even surface
2. (postpositive; foll bywith)
on the same level or in the same plane (as)
one surface even with another
3.
without variation or fluctuation; regular; constant
an even rate of progress
4.
not readily moved or excited; placid; calm
an even temper
5.
equally balanced between two sides
an even game
6.
equal or identical in number, quantity, etc
two even spoonfuls of sugar
7.
a.
(of a number) divisible by two
b.
characterized or indicated by such a number
maps are on the even pages
Compare odd (sense 4)
8.
relating to or denoting two or either of two alternatives, events, etc, that have an equal probability
an even chance of missing or catching a train
9.
having no balance of debt; neither owing nor being owed
10.
just and impartial; fair
an even division
11.
exact in number, amount, or extent
an even pound
12.
equal, as in score; level
now the teams are even
13. mathematics
(of a function) unchanged in value when the sign of the independent variable is changed, as in y = z2
odd (sense 8)
14. even money
15. get even
16. of even date
adverb
17.
(intensifier; used to suggest that the content of a statement is unexpected or paradoxical)
even an idiot can do that
18.
(intensifier; used with comparative forms)
this is even better
19.
notwithstanding; in spite of
even having started late she soon caught him up
20.
used to introduce a more precise version of a word, phrase, or statement
her work is gloomy, even morbid
21.
used preceding a clause of supposition or hypothesis to emphasize the implication that whether or not the condition in it is fulfilled, the statement in the main clause remains valid
even if she died he wouldn't care
22. archaic
that is to say; namely (used for emphasis)
he, even he, hath spoken these things
23. archaic
all the way; fully
I love thee even unto death
24. even as
25. even so
verb
26.
to make or become even
See also break even
Derived forms
evener (ˈevener)
noun
evenly (ˈevenly)
adverb
evenness (ˈevenness)
noun
Word origin
Old English efen; related to Old Norse jafn even, equal, Gothic ibns, Old High German eban
even in British English2
(ˈiːvən)
noun
an archaic word for eve, evening
Word origin
Old English ǣfen; related to Old Frisian ēvend, Old High German āband
even in American English1
(ˈivən)
adjective
1.
flat; level; smooth
even country
2.
not irregular; not varying; uniform; constant
an even tempo
3.
calm; tranquil; serene; placid
an even disposition
4.
in the same plane or line; in line
water even with the rim
5.
equally balanced
6.
a.
owing and being owed nothing
b.
with neither a profit nor a loss
7.
revenged for a wrong, insult, etc.
8.
just; equitable; fair
an even exchange
9.
equal or identical in number, quantity, degree, score, etc.
10.
exactly divisible by two
said of numbers see also odd
11.
exact
an even mile
adverb
12. Obsolete
in an even manner
13. used as an intensive or emphatic particle meaning:
a.
though it may seem improbable; moreover; indeed; fully
even unto death; even a fool could understand
b.
exactly; precisely; just; in no other way but
it happened even as I expected
c.
just as; while; already
even as he spoke, she entered
d.
still; yet
used in emphasizing a comparison
an even worse mistake
e. Archaic
namely; particularly
one there was, even John
verb transitive, verb intransitive
14.
to make, become, or be even; level off; equalize or be equalized
often with off, out, or up
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈlevel, ˈsteady
Idioms:
even if
even so
Derived forms
evenly (ˈevenly)
adverb
evenness (ˈevenness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OE efne, efen, akin to Ger eben, Goth ibns < ? IE base *yem-, hold together > MIr emon, twins
even in American English2
(ˈivən)
noun
Archaic
evening
Word origin
see eve
More idioms containing
even
don't even go there
get even
never be given an even break
on an even keel
don't get mad, get even
Examples of 'even' in a sentence
even
The thing that impressed me was her concentration on it to the exclusion of everything else, even to the exclusion of herself.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
Perhaps there had even been a kind of innocence in our duplicity.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
In other languages
even
British English: even /ˈiːvn/ ADJECTIVE
flat and smooth Something that is even is flat and smooth.
The path was straight and even.
American English: even
Arabic: مُسْتَوٍ
Brazilian Portuguese: regular
Chinese: 一致的
Croatian: ravan
Czech: rovný hladký
Danish: jævn
Dutch: gelijkmatig
European Spanish: uniforme
Finnish: tasainen
French: pair
German: eben
Greek: ομαλός
Italian: uniforme
Japanese: 平らな
Korean: 평평한
Norwegian: jevn
Polish: równy
European Portuguese: regular
Romanian: nivelat
Russian: ровный
Latin American Spanish: uniforme
Swedish: jämn
Thai: เรียบเสมอกัน
Turkish: düz düzgün
Ukrainian: рівний
Vietnamese: bằng phẳng
British English: even /ˈiːvn/ ADVERB
You use even to suggest that what comes just after or just before it in the sentence is surprising.
Nobody trusted strangers, or even friends.
American English: even
Arabic: حَتَّى
Brazilian Portuguese: até
Chinese: 甚至
Croatian: čak
Czech: dokonce
Danish: jævnt
Dutch: zelfs
European Spanish: incluso
Finnish: jopa
French: même en plus
German: sogar
Greek: ακόμα
Italian: perfino
Japanese: ･･･でさえ
Korean: (…) 조차
Norwegian: til og med
Polish: nawet
European Portuguese: até
Romanian: chiar
Russian: даже
Latin American Spanish: incluso
Swedish: även
Thai: แม้แต่
Turkish: hatta
Ukrainian: навіть
Vietnamese: ngay cả
British English: even /ˈiːvn/ ADJECTIVE
number An even number is a number that you can divide by two, with nothing left over.
Four is an even number.
American English: even
Arabic: زَوْجِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: par
Chinese: 双数的
Croatian: parni
Czech: sudý
Danish: lige
Dutch: even
European Spanish: par
Finnish: parillinen
French: pairnombre pair
German: gerade
Greek: ζυγός
Italian: pari
Japanese: 偶数の
Korean: 일정한
Norwegian: jevn
Polish: parzysty
European Portuguese: par
Romanian: par
Russian: четный
Latin American Spanish: parnúmero
Swedish: jämn
Thai: คู่
Turkish: tek
Ukrainian: парний
Vietnamese: số chẵn
All related terms of 'even'
even as
at the very same moment or in the very same way that
even if
supposing that; though
even so
You use even so to introduce a surprising fact which relates to what you have just said .
even up
To even up a contest or game means to make it more equally balanced than it was.
even odds
a bet in which the potential winnings are the same amount as the original stake .
even out
If something evens out , or if you even it out , the differences between the different parts of it are reduced.
even then
You use even then to say that something is the case in spite of what has just been stated or whatever the circumstances may be.
get even
If you say that you are going to get even with someone, you mean that you are going to cause them the same amount of harm or annoyance as they have caused you.
break even
to attain a level of activity, as in commerce , or a point of operation , as in gambling , at which there is neither profit nor loss
even-handed
If someone is even-handed , they are completely fair , especially when they are judging other people or dealing with two groups of people.
even money
a bet in which the winnings are the same as the amount staked
even-steven
having no balance of debt ; neither owing or being owed
even though
You use even if or even though to indicate that a particular fact does not make the rest of your statement untrue .
even-pinnate
with pinnate leaflets that are symmetrically paired
even-stevens
British and Australian → another name for even-steven
even-tempered
If someone is even-tempered , they are usually calm and do not easily get angry .
odd or even
any of various games of chance in which one bets on an odd or even number, as one in which two players alternately draw from a pile of an odd number of counters any desired number up to a prearranged limit , the object being to have drawn an odd number of counters at the end of the game
of even date
of the same or today's date
get even with
→ even 1 (sense 15 )
to break even
When a company or a person running a business breaks even , they make neither a profit nor a loss .
break-even point
When a company reaches break-even point , the money it makes from the sale of goods or services is just enough to cover the cost of supplying those goods or services, but not enough to make a profit .
on an even keel
calm or progressing steadily, especially during or after a period of troubles or difficulties
don't even go there
said to mean that a topic is considered to be too unpleasant or controversial to be mentioned
don't get mad, get even
said to mean that, if someone harms you, you should not waste your energy on being angry , but you should concentrate on harming them in return
to be on an even keel
If you say that someone or something is on an even keel , you mean that they are working or progressing smoothly and steadily, without any sudden changes .
Allhallows Eve
Halloween
parity check
a check made of computer data to ensure that the total number of bits of value 1 (or 0) in each unit of information remains odd or even after transfer between a peripheral device and the memory or vice versa
never be given an even break
to not get the same chances or opportunities to do something as other people
Chinese translation of 'even'
even
(ˈiːvn)
adv
甚至 (shènzhì)
adj
(= flat) 平坦的 (píngtǎn de)
⇒ The road isn't very even.路不很平坦。 (Lù bù hěn píngtǎn.)