Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - even

~1 adv 1 used to emphasize something that is unexpected or surprising in what you are saying  (Even the younger children enjoyed the concert. | We've all been naughty sometimes - even Mummy! | not even)  (Henry's a strict vegetarian - he doesn't even eat cheese. | I never even saw the kid until I hit him.) 2 even bigger/better/brighter etc used to emphasize that someone or something is bigger, better etc than before, or than someone or something else you have just mentioned  (New Jet now washes even whiter. | Diane knows even less about it than I do.) 3 used to add a stronger, more exact word to what you are saying  (Molly looked depressed, even suicidal. | The bride looked beautiful, radiant even.) 4 even so spoken used to introduce something that is the opposite or very different from what you have been saying  (I myself don't believe in ghosts. Even so, I wouldn't like to be alone in that room at night.) 5 even if no matter if  (Charlie's going to have problems finding a job even if she gets her A levels.) 6 even though used to emphasize that although something happens or is true, something else also happens or is true  (Even though they loved each other, they decided to part. | I can still remember, even though it was so long ago.) 7 even now/then in spite of what has happened, what you have done, or what is true  (I explained it all to him again, but even then he didn't understand. | Even now I find it hard to believe her story.) 8 even as used to emphasize that something happens at the same moment as something else  (I tried to phone her, but even as I was phoning she was leaving the building. | Even as we watched the car skidded out of control.) ~2 adj 1 »SURFACE« completely flat with all parts at the same height  (The floor must be completely even before we lay the tiles. | an even stretch of road) 2 »NOT CHANGING« an even rate, temperature etc is steady and does not change much  (We were travelling at an even speed. | an even rhythm) 3 »DIVIDED EQUALLY« divided equally, so that there is the same amount of something in each place, for each person etc  (an even distribution of wealth) 4 even number a number that can be divided exactly by two  (2, 4, 6 and 8 are even numbers)  (- opposite odd number odd (6)) 5 »COMPETITION« having teams or competitors that are equally good so that everyone has a chance of winning  (This year's Superbowl was a very even contest.) 6 »LINE OF THINGS« regularly spaced and neat-looking  (even rows of gleaming white teeth) 7 be even informal to no longer owe someone something, especially money  (If you give me $5 for the ticket, we'll be even.) 8 have an even chance (of) to be just as likely to happen as to not happen  (Derek has an even chance of getting the job.) 9 get even with informal to harm someone just as much as they have harmed you  (He's not getting away with this, I'll get even with him one day.)  (- compare uneven, - see also even­tempered, break even break1 (9)) - evenness n ~3 v even out phr v if two amounts, levels etc even out, or if you even them out, the differences between them become smaller  (You have to wait until the water level in the pipes evens out.)  (even something out)  (They even out your payments over the whole year.) even up phr v T even something up) to make a situation or competition more equal ~4 n poetic evening