uneven

Everyday

1. Not flat, smooth or level: an uneven path. tree →
2. Not the same in size, amount or quality; not equal: uneven teams. tree →
3. (US, maths, informal) Odd, as in an uneven number (1, 3, 5…) — usually «odd» is the right word. tree →
4. Changing and not regular: uneven breathing. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons, «uneven ground» means you might trip — walk carefully. In maths, uneven groups or shares are not equal; splitting 7 sweets between 2 children gives an uneven share. In sport, an uneven match has one side much stronger. In stories, uneven breathing shows fear or illness.

Examples

• Watch out — the pavement is uneven. tree →
• The teams were uneven, so the score was 10–0. tree →
• The table wobbles because the floor is uneven. tree →
• We had an uneven number of players, so one sat out. tree →
• Splitting 9 sweets between 2 gives an uneven share: 5 and 4. tree →
• His uneven handwriting was hard to read. tree →
• Her breathing was uneven after the race. tree →
• From side to side bounced the bundle on his back, as he ran light-footed over the uneven ground. tree →

Note

Opposite: even, level, equal. In maths prefer «odd number» rather than «uneven number». Adverb: unevenly. «Uneven bars» is a gymnastics event.