even

adverb, adjective, verb

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.

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.