uneven

adjective

un·​even ˌən-ˈē-vən How to pronounce uneven (audio)
1
a
archaic : unequal sense 1a
2
a
: not even : not level or smooth : rugged, ragged
large uneven teeth
uneven handwriting
b
: varying from the straight or parallel
c
: not uniform : irregular
uneven combustion
d
: varying in quality
an uneven performance
3
: unequal sense 3a
an uneven confrontation
unevenly adverb
unevenness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for uneven

rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even.

rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Examples of uneven in a Sentence

His breathing was shallow and uneven. You should check your car's tires often for signs of uneven wear. an uneven distribution of wealth We have an uneven number of players, so we'll have to rotate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Additionally, although each member of the crew has their own particular skillset, the time spent on individual characters is uneven, and a smaller cast would have likely made things more effective. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 June 2025 Moreover, the legal playing field itself can be quite uneven. Mark Berookim, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Jobs for the Future The story of racial and gender progress in executive representation is an uneven one, with slight growth over time but little in the way of meaningful progress. Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 The report also highlights the uneven distribution of women across particular executive roles. The Hill, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for uneven

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of uneven was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Uneven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uneven. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

uneven

adjective
un·​even ˌən-ˈē-vən How to pronounce uneven (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not even : not level or smooth : rugged, ragged
large uneven teeth
uneven handwriting
2
: varying from the straight or parallel
3
: not constant : irregular
uneven earnings
4
: varying in quality
an uneven performance
unevenly adverb
unevenness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on uneven

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