Topic: SPORT
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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | efen |
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even2
1 flat and level, with no parts that are higher than other parts [≠ uneven]: 
The floor must be completely even before we lay the tiles.He had lovely white, even teeth.
level
The floor must be completely even before we lay the tiles.He had lovely white, even teeth.2 an even rate, speed, or temperature is steady and does not change : The room is kept at an even temperature. Wood burns at a fairly even rate.
not changing
The room is kept at an even temperature.Wood burns at a fairly even rate.3 divided equally, so that there is the same amount of something in each place, for each person etc : Divide the dough into three even amounts. an even distribution of wealth
divided equally
Divide the dough into three even amounts.an even distribution of wealth4 an even number can be divided exactly by two [≠ odd]: 2, 4, 6 and 8 are even numbers.
number
HMN2, 4, 6 and 8 are even numbers.5 having teams or competitors that are equally good so that everyone has a chance of winning : The first half was very even, and neither side scored. an even contest
competition
The first half was very even, and neither side scored.an even contest6 if the score in a game is even, two teams or players have the same number of points : At the end of the first half the score is even.
scores
At the end of the first half the score is even.7 to no longer owe someone something, especially money : If you give me $5, we'll be even.
be even
informalIf you give me $5, we'll be even.8 calm and controlled, and not extreme : He read most of the speech in an even tone.
calm
He read most of the speech in an even tone.9 a situation in which it is just as likely that something will happen as not happen : We knew there was an even chance that the operation would fail.
an even chance
We knew there was an even chance that the operation would fail.10 to do something unpleasant to someone to punish them for something that they did to you [= get revenge (on somebody)]: I'll get even with him one day.
get even (with somebody)
informalI'll get even with him one day.11 to neither make a profit nor lose money : We're hoping that we'll at least break even, and perhaps make a small profit. ➔ even-tempered
break even
We're hoping that we'll at least break even, and perhaps make a small profit. —evenness noun [uncountable]
