uneven
Americanadjective
-
not level or flat; rough; rugged.
The wheels bumped and jolted over the uneven surface.
-
irregular; varying; not uniform.
The book is uneven in quality.
-
not equitable or fair; one-sided.
an uneven contest.
-
not equally balanced; not symmetrical or parallel.
-
(of a number) odd; not divisible into two equal integers.
The numerals 3, 5, and 7 are uneven.
adjective
-
(of a surface, etc) not level or flat
-
spasmodic or variable
-
not parallel, straight, or horizontal
-
not fairly matched
an uneven race
-
archaic not equal
-
obsolete unjust
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of uneven
before 900; Middle English; Old English unefen; cognate with German uneben. See un- 1, even 1
Explanation
Uneven is the opposite of uniform and predictable. If the road is uneven, it's bumpy and rough, and you’ll have to dodge the potholes. If your performance as Hamlet is uneven, your "To be or not to be" might be brilliant, but you mumble through "Get thee to a nunnery!" If the economic recovery is uneven, it's not the same in every sector — maybe manufacturing and exports are picking up steam but the housing market is still lagging. If your soccer team of skinny 12-year-olds is up against a team of beefy 16-year-old giants, it's an uneven match and likely to be ugly.
Vocabulary lists containing uneven
"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, List 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Spelling Practice, Unit 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A single product can be used on deep, large, and uneven injuries, making it more versatile than traditional alternatives.
From Science Daily • Jul. 2, 2026
But there are still major problems, including uneven flooring, and they are now desperate to move out of their once-beloved home and into sheltered accommodation.
From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026
Even those whose families migrated here seeking a “better life” can speak to how uneven the American dream materializes across class, race and country of origin.
From Salon • Jun. 25, 2026
Some of the deadliest quake-triggered building collapses in other countries around the world were influenced by corruption, uneven enforcement of building rules and shoddy construction.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026
I was roving over uneven ground when I got the message, and the excitement of getting the message while climbing the rocky ground caused me to wobble slightly.
From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
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.
