uneven
/ʌnˈiːv(ə)n
/adjective
1Not level or smooth: the floors are cracked and uneven...
- The teams were given just an hour-and-a-half to design and build a vehicle to carry astronauts and their equipment over the rough and uneven surface of the moon.
- I can confirm the road surface in Southborough Lane definitely needed resurfacing in this area as it had very large potholes and an uneven surface.
- The report did say that uneven road surfaces and potholes were quite dangerous and showed an inconsistency with the town centre.
Synonyms
bumpy, rough, lumpy, stony, rocky, potholed, holey, rutted, rutty, pitted, jagged, cragged, craggy, dented, indented, knobby
2Not regular, consistent, or equal: the uneven distribution of resources...
- Many soils have an uneven distribution of resources owing to fertilizer applications and the periodic saturation of topsoil with rainwater.
- The ethnic and religious strife is really a matter of an uneven distribution of economic resources and opportunities.
- Some would say this does not address the very uneven distribution of resources.
Synonyms
irregular, unequal, differing, dissimilar, unlike, unalike, unidentical, unbalanced, lopsided, awry, askew, crooked, asymmetrical, unsymmetrical, disproportionate, not matching
inconsistent, variable, varying, changeable, fluctuating, intermittent, wavering, irregular, erratic, patchy, bitty
2.1(Of a contest) not equally balanced: Fran struggled briefly but soon gave up the uneven match...
- But if it was merely an issue of community pride in an uneven contest why was no pressure exerted on the incumbent to step down?
- The United States versus Brazil is a most uneven contest, and the smart money will not be betting on Lula.
- This was an uneven contest with the Dunlavin girls showing superior skill and teamwork.
Synonyms
one-sided, unequal, unfair, unjust, inequitable, ill-matched, unbalanced, lopsided;
biased, prejudiced, skewed
Derivatives
unevenness
/ noun ...- There is, as so often with this company, a distinct unevenness in the casting.
- There is unevenness across the different companies.
- Despite the unevenness of quality, however, this comes across as one smart little show.
Origin
Old English unefen 'not corresponding exactly' (see un-1, even1).