uneven
UK: ʌnˈiːv(ə)n | US: ʌnˈiːvən
adj. not level or smooth; irregular
adj. unequal or unbalanced in distribution
adj. inconsistent in quality or performance
uneven = un<not> + even<level>
- un: A prefix of negation, from Old English "un-," meaning "not."
- even: From Old English "efen," meaning "level, equal, or smooth."
Etymology Origin:
The word "uneven" combines the Old English negative prefix "un-" with "even," which originally described flatness or equality. Over time, "even" expanded to include fairness and balance, while "uneven" retained its literal sense of physical irregularity and metaphorical sense of imbalance or inconsistency. The pairing reflects a straightforward oppositional structure common in Germanic-derived English words.
The path was uneven, making it difficult to walk.
Her performance has been uneven this season.
The distribution of resources was uneven across regions.
The cake baked unevenly due to a faulty oven.
His breathing became uneven after the sprint.