uneven

1 of 2

adjective

un·​even ˌən-ˈē-vən 

1

a

archaic : unequal sense 1a

b

: odd sense 4a

an uneven number of players

2

a

: not even : not level or smooth : rugged, ragged

large uneven teeth

uneven handwriting

b

: varying from the straight or parallel

uneven edges

c

: not uniform : irregular

uneven combustion

d

: varying in quality

an uneven performance

3

: unequal sense 3a

an uneven confrontation

unevenly adverb

unevenness

ˌən-ˈē-və(n)-nəs 

noun

unevenness

2 of 2

noun

un·​evenness "+ 

1

: the quality or state of being uneven:

a

: inequality

unevenness of height

b

: roughness

the unevenness of land surfaces

the unevenness of the path

c

: lack of uniform quality : irregularity, inconsistency

the unevenness of the essays detracts from the book's overall effect

—F. R. Dulles

d

: temperamental instability

the unevenness of his moods and behavior

2

: an uneven place

file down the unevennesses

Synonyms of uneven

Adjective

• jagged
• rough
• rugged
• broken
• irregular

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

Co-written by Kiyoko and actress Stefanie Scott (who also appeared in the music video), the new film’s uneven script struggles to build an accessible world that’s as emotionally rich as the personal memories many viewers will bring with them to theaters. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 June 2026

Families and employers are facing rising costs and uneven access to care. —Katerina Guerraz, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026

Undoubtedly one of the toughest courses in the world, Shinnecock is a par-70 links-style course with uneven lies, deep rough along the fairway with random fescue, elevation changes and brutally difficult greens. —Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026

Heat and rainfall patterns both become more uneven, sometimes dramatically so. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English unevennesse, from uneven + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Phrases Containing uneven

• uneven bars
• uneven parallel bars

Rhymes for uneven

• breakeven
• genevan
• even
• steven

Kids Definition

uneven

adjective

un·​even ˌən-ˈē-vən 

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