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adverb American English pronunciation: even /ˈiv(ə)n/
Even is used for emphasis mainly before a word, a phrase, or a clause beginning with “as,” “if,” or “though.” When emphasizing verbs, even comes before an ordinary verb: They even served champagne at breakfast. But even comes after an auxiliary verb, a modal verb, or the verb “to be”: She doesn’t even know his name. ♦ Some computers can even talk to you.
Sometimes even is used after a word for emphasis: São Paulo is a huge city, larger even than New York. ♦ The task might be difficult, impossible even.
 
  1. 1
    used for showing that you are saying something that is surprising

    It always feels cold in this room, even in summer.

    Even the dog refused to eat it.

    Lucy’s face brightened a little – she even managed to smile.

    not even:

    He never stopped working, not even at Christmas.

    They didn’t even offer me a glass of water.

    even now (=used for saying it is surprising that something still continues):

    Even now, after all these years, he cannot mention her name without crying.

    even then (=used for saying that something is surprising after what has happened):

    I sat down and explained the rules to him, but even then he continued to do as he pleased.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  evenThesaurus entry for this meaning of even
  2. 2
    used for emphasizing that although something is big, good, bad, etc., something else is bigger, better, worse, etc.

    She admits things are bad, but argues they were even worse under the previous government.

    If anything, local people are treated even more harshly than foreigners.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  evenThesaurus entry for this meaning of even
  3. 3
    used for adding a more extreme word or phrase to emphasize what you have just said

    Her latest novel was very good, maybe even brilliant.

    The argument might have ended in violence – murder, even.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  evenThesaurus entry for this meaning of even

phrases

This is the American English definition of even. View British English definition of even.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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