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 If the uneven balance does tilt in Then‘s favor, so be it. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024 The first three seasons of the series are uneven at best, but filled with some of the most devastating moments across the entire franchise, as fueled by Kim Dickens’ Madison, Colman Domingo’s Strand and Alycia Debnam-Carey’s Alicia. Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024 As a result, patients may experience disappointing results, including unnatural-looking hairlines, uneven density, and, in extreme cases, scarring and complications that necessitate corrective procedures. Chris Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024 Small canals traversed the uneven ground in straight lines. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 But support for these young people is wildly uneven across the U.K., the parliamentary inquiry found. Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2024 Teachers often dig into their own pockets for basic classroom necessities, and an enduring teacher shortage—a holdover from the pandemic Zoom school era—has led to uneven caseloads and overcrowded classrooms. Jane Thier, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 Almost everything in between, alas, proves uneven and inert in a way that dilutes its satirical punch, making this an interesting introduction for first-time writer-director Kobi Libii but a less than satisfying one. Brian Lowry, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 The royal response hasn’t calmed things Throughout the whole controversy, official information from Kensington Palace, which is the London residence and office of Prince William and Kate, has been uneven. Aj Willingham, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uneven.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near uneven

Cite this Entry

“Uneven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uneven. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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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