uneven

[uhn-ee-vuhn]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• unevenly adverb
• unevenness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uneven¹

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

Example Sentences

"The finish of the product is much better, there's no smoke, no uneven heating, and the pods retain their natural green colour. That's very important because colour decides the price."

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China recognizes that technological unreadiness and uneven access to alternative fuels are still major obstacles.

Read more on Barron's

China recognizes that technological unreadiness and uneven access to alternative fuels are still major obstacles.

Read more on Barron's

As he ran with a full box, he fell on the uneven ground and twisted his ankle.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The U.S. economy was still expanding at an uneven but somewhat robust pace as summer drew to a close, a trickle of economic reports delayed by the government shutdown have shown.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• bumpy 
• irregular 
• odd 
• patchy 
• rough 
• spotty 
• unbalanced 
• unequal 
• unsteady