uneven

The word “uneven” means not flat or level; having bumps, dips, or irregularities. In plain terms, not smooth, level, or consistent.

“Uneven” is pronounced uhn-EE-vuhn (/ʌnˈivən/ in IPA).

Here is “uneven” used in a sentence: “She twisted her ankle on the uneven pavement.”

Words with a similar meaning to “uneven” include rough.

“Uneven” is an adjective.

The word “uneven” comes from Old English. From Old English unefen, meaning "unequal" or "irregular," from un- plus even.

“Uneven” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Uneven” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not flat or level; having bumps, dips, or irregularities.

Uneven usually describes a physical surface that lacks flatness, such as uneven ground, or a performance that varies in quality. Unequal instead describes a lack of equality or balance between amounts, sizes, or values, such as unequal shares. The two can overlap when talking about inconsistent results, but uneven leans toward texture or variability while unequal leans toward fairness or quantity.

Yes, uneven is commonly used to describe performance that is inconsistent, such as an uneven acting performance or an uneven season for a sports team. In this sense it means the quality fluctuates rather than staying steady.

Saying something is uneven in quality means parts of it are strong while other parts are weak, so the overall standard is not consistent. This usage applies to writing, cooking, sports performances, and many other graded activities.