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Definition even in British English

even adverb

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.

1

used for showing that you are saying something that is surprising

Example

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

Example

Even the dog refused to eat it.

Example

Lucy's face brightened a little - she even managed to smile.

Example

He never stopped working, not even at Christmas.

Example

They didn't even offer me a cup of tea.

Example

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

Example

They're going to spend £5 billion on our railway network, and even then it won't be as good as the French system.

Synonyms and related words
funnily enough you don’t say heavens above
2

used for emphasizing that although something is big, good, bad etc, something else is bigger, better, worse etc

Example

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

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
than relatively whereas
3

used for adding a more extreme word or phrase to emphasize what you have just said

Example

Her latest novel was very good, even brilliant.

Example

The quarrel might have ended in violence - murder, even.

Synonyms and related words
ach actively actual
4

a spoken phrase and internet meme used for saying that you are so amazed, shocked, fed up, etc. that you are unable to express how you feel

Example

Why's she going out with that creep? I literally can't even.

Example

When I'm hungover, I just can't even.

Definition even in British English

Related Words

Words related to even:

be even (phrase) break even (phrase) break-even point (noun) don’t even think doing something (phrase) even (adverb) even (adjective) even (verb) even (noun) even as (phrase) even if (phrase) even money (noun) even number (phrase) even out (phrasal verb) even so (phrase) even the score (phrase) even though (phrase) even up (phrasal verb) even-handed (adjective) even-tempered (adjective) even (with someone) (phrase) have an even chance (of doing something) (phrase) on an even keel () someone can’t even boil an egg (phrase) less (phrase)