Meaning of even In English

• 0 used to show that something is surprising, unusual, unexpected, or extreme:

  • I don't even know where it is.

  • Everyone I know likes the smell of bacon - even Mike does and he's a vegetarian.

  • We were all on time - even Chris and he's usually late for everything.

  • It's a very difficult job - it might even take a year to finish it.

  • "I never cry." "Not even when you hurt yourself really badly?"

  • Even with a load of electronic gadgetry, you still need some musical ability to write a successful song.

  • I tried to reason with him, but even as I started to explain what had happened he stood up to leave.

  • Even if you take a taxi, you'll still miss your train.

  • I've thought about it so much, but even now I can't believe how lucky I was to survive the accident.

  • I gave Jim very clear instructions, but even then he managed to make a mess of it.

  • I had a terrible headache, but even so I went to the concert.

  • An immediate interest cut might give a small boost to the economy. Even so, any recovery is likely to be very slow.

  • Even though he left school at 16, he still managed to become prime minister.

• 1 used to emphasize a comparison:

  • The next 36 hours will be even colder with snow showers becoming more widespread.

  • Any devaluation of the pound would make it even more difficult to keep inflation low.

• 2 used when you want to be more exact or detailed about something you have just said:

  • I find some of his habits somewhat unpleasant, disgusting even.

  • She has always been very kind to me, even generous on occasion.

• 3 flat and smooth, or on the same level:

  • We resurfaced the floor because it wasn't even.

• 4 continuous or regular:

  • You should try to work at an even rate instead of taking it easy one day and working flat out the next.

• 5 equal or equally balanced:

  • Both sides played well - it was a very even contest.

  • The weather forecast said that there's an even chance of thunderstorms tonight (= that it is equally likely that there will or will not be storms).

  • The chances of her getting the job are about evens.

  • an even bet

  • If I were betting I'd take even money on United.

• 6 forming a whole number that can be divided exactly by two:

  • 6 is an even number and 7 is an odd number.

• 7 to make two things equal:

  • Sheila was awarded a scholarship in chemistry, and now her brother has evened the score with a scholarship in economics.

  • The whisky industry is campaigning for the taxes on different alcoholic drinks to be evened up.

• 8 equal or equally balanced:

  • The class has a pretty even mix of boys and girls.

  • I bought the tickets, so if you pay for dinner we’ll be even (= you will not owe me any money).

• 9 continuous or regular:

  • We walked at an even pace.

• 10 flat and smooth, or on the same level:

  • The snow was even with the kitchen doorstep.

• 11 (of numbers) able to be exactly divided by two:

  • The result should be an even number.

• 12 used to emphasize a comparison or the unexpected or extreme characteristic of something:

  • Even smart people can make mistakes.

  • She never cried – not even when she was badly hurt.

  • Even with a good education, you need some common sense to get ahead.

  • The new service is one of the most useful and popular on the Web. Even better, it's free to use.

• 13 used when you want to be more exact or detailed about something you have just said:

  • I’d like to get a place in the Rocky Mountains, maybe Colorado or Montana – Idaho even.

• 14 to make equal:

  • [ T ] Tonight’s win evens their record at 6-6.

  • [ M ] They won the next night to even up the score.

  • [ M ] Taking me to the movies isn’t going to even things out.

• 15 happening in a smooth, gradual, and regular way instead of changing a lot or changing suddenly:

  • an even rate/pace Share prices are continuing to rise at an even rate.

• 16 fair and equal:

  • an even trade/deal Both parties considered the exchange an even trade, with each property valued at $1.7 million.

• 17 used to describe a number that ends in 0, not more or less than that number:

  • "Will you sell it for $45?" "Make it an even fifty and you got a deal."

• 18 able to stay even and regular, and not change suddenly:

  • get back/stay/keep on an even keel Investors are hoping the new board will help share prices get back on an even keel.