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uneven
/ʌnˈiːvən/
not smooth or balanced
The floor was uneven, so I tripped over the small bump.
The surface had irregularities that caused a stumble.
general
not level, flat, or smooth; having irregularities
The road surface was uneven due to potholes.
The road had rough patches and holes.
Her breathing became uneven during the workout.
Her breaths were irregular and inconsistent.
Can describe physical surfaces, rhythms, or distributions.
general
not equal or balanced; varying in quality or quantity
The team's performance was uneven this season.
Their results varied widely, with some wins and some losses.
The distribution of resources was uneven across regions.
Some areas received much more than others.
Often used in contexts like performance, distribution, or competition.
Collocations
uneven surfacea surface with irregularities or bumpsuneven distributionan unequal or inconsistent spreaduneven performanceinconsistent results or effort
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'unequal'
'Uneven' often implies irregularity or inconsistency, while 'unequal' strictly means not equal in size, value, or status. For example, 'uneven terrain' refers to rough ground, not ground with different sizes.
Gold Rule
Physical vs. Abstract Use
Use 'uneven' for physical surfaces (e.g., 'uneven pavement') and for abstract concepts like performance or distribution (e.g., 'uneven grades').
Word Origin
From Old English 'un-' (not) + 'efen' (even, level), meaning 'not level or balanced'. The 'even' component traces back to Proto-Germanic '*ebnaz' (level, equal).
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe physical surfaces (e.g., roads, floors) or abstract concepts (e.g., performance, distribution). Avoid using for people unless referring to physical traits (e.g., 'uneven teeth').
Word Breakdown
un-
not
prefix-even
level or equal
rootEnglish Dictionary