Word
even
US/ˈivɪn/
UK/ˈiːvən/
Definition
n. used to emphasize that something is surprising or more than you expected. You use it when you want to show that even the most unlikely thing is true.
n. used to emphasize something that is unexpected or surprising in comparison to other things. Functions as a focusing adverb that highlights an extreme case within a context.
Examples
“He is so tall that he can even touch the ceiling.”
“The weather was so cold that even the lake in the center of the city froze solid.”
“The evidence was so overwhelming that even the most skeptical members of the committee were forced to admit that the theory held merit.”
Examples
simple
“He is so tall that he can even touch the ceiling.”
contextual
“The weather was so cold that even the lake in the center of the city froze solid.”
complex
“The evidence was so overwhelming that even the most skeptical members of the committee were forced to admit that the theory held merit.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “even” in context.
Verb
01. get even
“He spent years trying to get even with the people who had cheated him.”
verb + adj
02. keep an even pace
“She managed to keep an even pace throughout the entire marathon.”
verb + adj + noun
03. maintain an even temper
“It is difficult to maintain an even temper when everyone is shouting at you.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
04. perfectly even
“The cake layers were perfectly even after she trimmed the edges.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. even distribution
“The teacher ensured an even distribution of resources among all the students.”
noun + noun
06. even number
“The houses on this side of the street all have an even number.”
noun + noun
07. even surface
“You need an even surface to set up the pool correctly.”
noun + noun
Usage
Typically placed before the word or phrase it emphasizes; when modifying a verb, it usually sits before the main verb or after the first auxiliary.
Pitfall
He even is taller than his father.
He is even taller than his father.
When used for emphasis with the verb 'to be', the adverb should follow the verb rather than precede it.
Real-World Examples
“She said she even visited a local hospital to see if the teen was there.” “We don’t even know each other’s names,” Víctor says.” “And as she tries to figure out the reason they are proliferating, she finds herself in a bank where there are next to no employees and even less money.” “In France, temperatures climbed even higher, with weather service Meteo-France recording 42.5C in Chateaumeillant in central France, the country's highest reading on Thursday.” Etymology
Borrowed from Russian эве́н (evén), from Even эвэн (əwən). Compare Evenki.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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