10 PHRASE If you say that you are going to get even with someone, you mean that you are going to cause them the same amount of harm or annoyance as they have caused you. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ with ] I'm going to get even with you for this. □ Don't get angry, get even.
11 to be on an even keel → see keel
➌ even /iː v ə n/ (evens , evening , evened )
▸ even out PHRASAL VERB If something evens out , or if you even it out , the differences between the different parts of it are reduced. □ [V P ] Relative rates of house price inflation have evened out across the country. □ [V P n] Foundation make-up evens out your skin tone and texture. [Also V n P ]
▸ even up PHRASAL VERB To even up a contest or game means to make it more equally balanced than it was. □ [V P n] The nation's electronics industry tried to even up its balance of trade. □ [V -ed P ] I would like to see the championship evened up a little bit more. [Also V n P ]
e ven-ha nded in AM, also use evenhanded ADJ If someone is even-handed , they are completely fair, especially when they are judging other people or dealing with two groups of people. □ …an even-handed account of the ethical arguments involved.
eve|ning ◆◆◇ /iː vn I ŋ/ (evenings ) N‑VAR The evening is the part of each day between the end of the afternoon and the time when you go to bed. □ All he did that evening was sit around the flat. □ Supper is from 5.00 to 6.00 in the evening. □ Towards evening the carnival entered its final stage.
e ve|ning class (evening classes ) N‑COUNT An evening class is a course for adults that is taught in the evening rather than during the day. □ Jackie has been learning flamenco dancing at an evening class for three years.
e ve|ning dre ss (evening dresses )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Evening dress consists of the formal clothes that people wear to formal occasions in the evening.
2 N‑COUNT An evening dress is a special dress, usually a long one, that a woman wears to a formal occasion in the evening.
e ve|ning pri m|rose (evening primroses ) N‑VAR Evening primrose is a tall plant with yellow flowers that open in the evening. Its seeds are used to make medicine.
evens /iː v ə nz/
1 N‑UNCOUNT In a race or contest, if you bet on a horse or competitor that is quoted at evens , you will win a sum of money equal to your bet if that horse or competitor wins. [BRIT ] □ He won his first race by six lengths at evens. □ The Martell Cup Chase was won by the evens favourite Toby Tobias.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If there is an evens chance that something will happen, it is equally likely that it will happen or will not happen. [BRIT ] □ You've then got an evens chance of doubling your money at a stroke.
even|song /iː v ə nsɒŋ, [AM ] -sɔːŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Evensong is the evening service in the Anglican Church.
event ◆◆◆ / I ve nt/ (events )
1 N‑COUNT An event is something that happens, especially when it is unusual or important. You can use events to describe all the things that are happening in a particular situation. □ [+ of ] …the events of Black Wednesday. □ A new book by J K Rowling is always an event.
2 N‑COUNT An event is a planned and organized occasion, for example a social gathering or a sports match. □ …major sporting events. □ …our programme of lectures and social events.
3 N‑COUNT An event is one of the races or competitions that are part of an organized occasion such as a sports meeting. □ A solo piper opens Aberdeen Highland Games at 10am and the main events start at 1pm.
4 PHRASE You use in the event of , in the event that , and in that event when you are talking about a possible future situation, especially when you are planning what to do if it occurs. □ The bank has agreed to give an immediate refund in the unlikely event of an error being made.
5 PHRASE You say in any event after you have been discussing a situation, in order to indicate that what you are saying is true or possible, in spite of anything that has happened or may happen. □ In any event, the bowling alley restaurant proved quite acceptable.
6 PHRASE You say in the event after you have been discussing what could have happened in a particular situation, in order to indicate that you are now describing what actually did happen. [BRIT ] □ 'Don't underestimate us', Norman Willis warned last year. There was, in the event, little danger of that. COLLOCATIONS event NOUN
1
adjective + event : major, significant; historical, recent; tragic
2
noun + event : charity, fundraising; music, sports, swimming
adjective + event : major, special; social
verb + event : hold, host, stage; organize, plan; attend
e ven-te mpered ADJ If someone is even-tempered , they are usually calm and do not easily get angry.
event|ful / I ve ntfʊl/ ADJ If you describe an event or a period of time as eventful , you mean that a lot of interesting, exciting, or important things have happened during it. □ Her eventful life included holding senior positions in the Colonial Service.
even|tual / I ve ntʃuəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use eventual to indicate that something happens or is the case at the end of a process or period of time. □ The eventual aim is reunification.
even|tu|al|ity / I ve ntʃuæ l I ti/ (eventualities ) N‑COUNT An eventuality is a possible future event or result, especially one that is unpleasant or surprising. [FORMAL ] □ Every eventuality is covered, from running out of petrol to needing water.