even

Universal Words adverb, adjective, verb adverb 1 used to emphasize sth unexpected or surprising: He never even opened the letter (= so he certainly didn't read it). * It was cold there even in summer (= so it must have been very cold in winter). * Even a child can understand it (= so adults certainly can). * She didn't even call to say she wasn't coming. 2 used when you are comparing things, to make the comparison stronger: You know even less about it than I do. * She's even more intelligent than her sister. 3 used to introduce a more exact description of sb/sth: It's an unattractive building, ugly even. -< ALTHOUGH IDIOMS even as (formal) just at the same time as sb does sth or as sth else happens: Even as he shouted the warning the car skidded. even if / though in spite of the fact or belief that; no matter whether: I'll get there, even if I have to walk. * I like her, even though she can be annoying at times. -> ALTHOUGH even now / then 1 in spite of what has/had happened: I've shown him the photographs but even now he won't believe me. * Even then she would not admit her mistake. 2 (formal) at this or that exact moment: The troops are even now preparing to march into the city. even so in spite of that: There are a lot of spelling mistakes; even so, it's quite a good essay. moreatLESSadv. adjective smooth / level 1 smooth, level and flat: You need an even surface to work on. OPPUNEVEN not changing 2 not changing very much in amount, speed, etc: an even temperature all year * Children do not learn at an even pace. OPPUNEVEN equal 3 (of an amount of sth) equal or the same for each person, team, place, etc: Our scores are now even. * the even distribution of food OPPUNEVEN 4 (of two people or teams) equally balanced or of an equal standard: an even contest * The two players were pretty even. OPPUNEVEN numbers 5 that can be divided exactly by two: 4, 6, 8, 10 are all even numbers OPPODD same size 6 equally spaced and the same size: even features / teeth OPPUNEVEN calm 7 calm; not changing or becoming upset: She has a very even temperament. * He spoke in a steady, even voice. * Nothing disturbed the even tenor of our life. evenness noun [U]: What she liked in him was his evenness of temper. IDIOMS be even (informal) to no longer owe sb money or a favour: If I pay for the meals then we're even. be / get even (with sb) (informal) to cause sb the same amount of trouble or harm as they have caused you: I'll get even with you for this, just you wait. break even to complete a piece of business, etc. without either losing money or making a profit: The company just about broke even last year. have an even chance (of doing sth) to be equally likely to do or not do sth: She has more than an even chance of winning tomorrow. * There's an even chance that the jury will find him guilty. on an even keel living, working or happening in a calm way, with no sudden changes, especially after a difficult time: Business is now back on an even keel after the postal strike. * Setting her life back on an even keel after their break-up had been incredibly difficult. moreatHONOURn. verb IDIOMS even the score to harm or punish sb who has harmed or cheated you in the past PHRASALVERBS even out to become level or steady, usually after varying a lot: House prices keep rising and falling but they should eventually even out. even sth<->out to spread things evenly over a period of time or among a number of people: He tried to even out the distribution of work among his employees. even sth<->up to make a situation or a competition more equal