1 VERB When a liquid evaporates , or is evaporated , it changes from a liquid state to a gas, because its temperature has increased. □ [V ] Moisture is drawn to the surface of the fabric so that it evaporates. □ [be V -ed] The water is evaporated by the sun. [Also V n] ● evapo|ra|tion / I væ pəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+of ] The soothing, cooling effect is caused by the evaporation of the sweat on the skin.
2 VERB If a feeling, plan, or activity evaporates , it gradually becomes weaker and eventually disappears completely. □ [V ] My anger evaporated and I wanted to cry.
eva po|rat|ed mi lk N‑UNCOUNT Evaporated milk is thick sweet milk that is sold in cans.
eva|sion / I ve I ʒ ə n/ (evasions )
1 N‑VAR [oft n N ] Evasion means deliberately avoiding something that you are supposed to do or deal with. □ [+ of ] Many Koreans were angered at what they saw as an evasion of responsibility. □ He was arrested for tax evasion.
2 N‑VAR If you accuse someone of evasion when they have been asked a question, you mean that they are deliberately avoiding giving a clear direct answer. □ We want straight answers. No evasions.
eva|sive / I ve I s I v/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as evasive , you mean that they deliberately avoid giving clear direct answers to questions. □ [+about ] He was evasive about the circumstances of his first meeting with Stanley Dean. ● eva|sive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'I can't possibly comment on that,' Paul said evasively. ● eva|sive|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] □ She looked at him closely to see if his evasiveness was intentional.
2 PHRASE If you take evasive action , you deliberately move away from someone or something in order to avoid meeting them or being hit by them. □ At least four high-flying warplanes had to take evasive action.
eve /iː v/ (eves )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The eve of a particular event or occasion is the day before it, or the period of time just before it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+of ] …on the eve of his 27th birthday.
2 → see also Christmas Eve , New Year's Eve
even
➊ DISCOURSE USES
➋ ADJECTIVE USES
➌ PHRASAL VERB USES
➊ even ◆◆◆ /iː v ə n/
1 ADV [ADV before v] You use even to suggest that what comes just after or just before it in the sentence is rather surprising. □ He kept calling me for years, even after he got married. □ Even dark-skinned women should use sunscreens. □ I cannot come to a decision about it now or even give any indication of my own views. □ He didn't even hear what I said.
2 ADV You use even with comparative adjectives and adverbs to emphasize a quality that someone or something has. [EMPHASIS ] □ It was on television that he made an even stronger impact as an interviewer. □ Stan was speaking even more slowly than usual.
3 PHRASE You use even if or even though to indicate that a particular fact does not make the rest of your statement untrue. □ Cynthia is not ashamed of what she does, even if she ends up doing something wrong. □ Even though I work by myself, there are other people I can interact with.
4 PHRASE If one thing happens even as something else happens, they both happen at exactly the same time. [LITERARY ] □ Even as she said this, she knew it was not quite true.
5 PHRASE You use even so to introduce a surprising fact which relates to what you have just said. [SPOKEN ] □ The bus was only half full. Even so, a young man asked Nina if the seat next to her was taken.
6 PHRASE You use even then to say that something is the case in spite of what has just been stated or whatever the circumstances may be. □ Peace could come only gradually. Even then, it sounds almost impossible to achieve.
➋ even /iː v ə n/
→ Please look at category 12 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An even measurement or rate stays at about the same level. □ How important is it to have an even temperature when you're working? □ The brick-built property keeps the temperature at an even level throughout the year. ● even|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ He looked at Ellen, breathing evenly in her sleep.
2 ADJ An even surface is smooth and flat. □ The tables are fitted with a glass top to provide an even surface.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If there is an even distribution or division of something, each person, group, or area involved has an equal amount. □ Divide the dough into 12 even pieces and shape each piece into a ball. ● even|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ The meat is divided evenly and boiled in a stew. □ The blood vessels in the skin are not evenly distributed around the face and neck.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An even contest or competition is equally balanced between the two sides who are taking part. □ …an even match between eight nations. ● even|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ They must choose between two evenly matched candidates for governor.
5 ADJ If your voice is even , you are speaking in a very controlled way which makes it difficult for people to tell what your feelings are. [LITERARY ]
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An even number can be divided exactly by the number two.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] If there is an even chance that something will happen, it is no more likely that it will happen than it will not happen. □ They have a more than even chance of winning the next election.
8 → see also evens
9 PHRASE When a company or a person running a business breaks even , they make neither a profit nor a loss. [BUSINESS ] □ The airline hopes to break even next year and return to profit the following year.