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even

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adverb

/ˈiːv(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.

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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 cup of tea.
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):
They're going to spend £5 billion on our railway network, and even then it won't be as good as the French system.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even
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 even
3
used for adding a more extreme word or phrase to emphasize what you have just said
Her latest novel was very good, even brilliant.
The quarrel might have ended in violence – murder, even.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even

phrases

even as
used for emphasizing that something is happening at exactly the same time as someone is doing or saying something else
Even as we speak, a ceasefire agreement is being signed in Geneva.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even
even if
used for emphasizing that although something may happen or may be true, another situation remains the same
He's determined to prove his innocence, even if he has to go to the highest court in the land.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even
even so
used for introducing a statement that seems surprising after what you said before
Crashes are rare, but, even so, there should be stricter safety regulations.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even
even though
used for introducing a fact that makes the main statement in your sentence very surprising
Most of us ignore this good advice, even though we know it to be true.
Even though I have a master's degree in business administration, I can't fill out my tax form.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even

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

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for even.

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