even

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈi:vən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adverb

Positive even

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. You use even to focus on the most surprising or unlikely case.
2. With preposition phrases:

   Even in peaceful countries, there are problems.

   She felt a lot of pain walking even though she was only in her thirties.

   They told us the manager isn't there, even though we can see her through the window.

   Even if they don't know you, they will still talk to you.

   I never liked chocolate, not even when I was young.

   Even with Denver's slow start, they are likely to win.

3. With noun phrases:

   Everyone walks to school here, even the teachers.

   Not even the world's fastest runner can run that fast.

   Even a quick look tells you there's a lot to learn.

   Anyone with even basic Internet search skills can find you.

4. With adjective phrases:

   She didn't tell me about it and I expect she wasn't even aware of it.

   This is not a small problem, and it will likely become even more important in the near future.

   I just hope I don't get lost, and I'm not even really sure of my bus number.

   The last few years have been difficult, but now she may face an even greater challenge.

   It will be very difficult for him, even dangerous.

5. With verb phrases:

   Our progress was not rewarded. In fact, it was not even mentioned.

   I don't even know who you are.

   It's so cheap, you don't even have to bring money.

   He can't even go back and look for it.

   We might even make some money if we work hard.

6. With adverb phrases (rarely):

   He won't lose his job, not even temporarily.

7. With so:

   I hid it in the books where nobody would look. Even so, I worried about it all evening.

Adjective

Positive even

Comparative more even

Superlative most even

1. If things are even, the top or surface of each is as high as the others.

   The top of the wall is even because the bricks are all the same size.

2. If a number is even, it can be divided into 2 equal parts.

   2, 4, 6 and 8 are even numbers. 1, 3, 5 and 7 are not even numbers; they are odd numbers.

Verb

Plain form even

Third-person singular evens

Past tense evened

Past participle evened

Present participle evening

1. (transitive & intransitive) If you even something (out/up), you reduce the ups and downs; you make it smooth or equal.
   • Synonym: smooth

   India was leading 2-1, but Australia evened the score in the last minute.

   The makeup evens out your skin tone without adding color.

2. (transitive & intransitive) If you even a problem out, you solve it.
   • Synonym: solve

   I went down and evened it all out. Everyone's happy now.