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Synonyms

uneven

American  
[uhn-ee-vuhn] / ʌnˈi vən /

adjective

  1. not level or flat; rough; rugged.

    The wheels bumped and jolted over the uneven surface.

  2. irregular; varying; not uniform.

    The book is uneven in quality.

  3. not equitable or fair; one-sided.

    an uneven contest.
    Synonyms:
    lopsided, unequal, unfair

  4. not equally balanced; not symmetrical or parallel.

  5. (of a number) odd; not divisible into two equal integers.

    The numerals 3, 5, and 7 are uneven.
uneven British  
/ ʌnˈiːvən /

adjective

  1. (of a surface, etc) not level or flat

  2. spasmodic or variable

  3. not parallel, straight, or horizontal

  4. not fairly matched

    an uneven race

  5. archaic not equal

  6. obsolete unjust

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • unevenly adverb
  • unevenness noun

Etymology

Origin of uneven

before 900; Middle English; Old English unefen; cognate with German uneben. See un- 1, even 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Energy has been far and away the market’s standout performer lately, showing persistent strength even as broader economic conditions have turned more uneven.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

“Reopening the Strait would set off a rapid but uneven normalization, with financial prices adjusting far faster than physical flows,” Kaneva said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

MXenes offer advantages over graphene, including richer chemistry, easier processing, and higher conductivity, but earlier attempts to form scrolls often led to uneven results.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

India is estimated to have around two million transgender people, though activists say the true number is higher and legal recognition remains uneven.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The eastern length ran along the Sound in an uneven line.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.