uneven
gb/ʌnˈivən/ us/ʌnˈivən/
B1
English
egyenetlen, nem egyforma, egyenlőtlen, nem egyenletes, hullámzó, egyoldalú
B1
1
egyenetlen
B1
Usage pattern:
[surface/ground/road/floor] is uneven
The sidewalk is uneven, so watch your step.
A járda egyenetlen, úgyhogy vigyázz, hová lépsz.
We had to use a wedge to steady the table on the uneven floor.
Egy éket kellett tennünk az asztal alá, hogy ne billegjen az egyenetlen padlón.
His bike skidded on the uneven road.
Learner examples
The ground is uneven.
A talaj egyenetlen.
Be careful on uneven pavement.
Vigyázz az egyenetlen járdán.
Common mistake:
Learners may use *uneven* when they mean *unclean* or *messy*; *uneven* is about a surface not being level.
Meaning
not level or smooth
Collocations
uneven ground
|uneven surface
|uneven floor
|uneven pavement
|uneven road
|uneven terrain
|uneven path
|slightly uneven
|badly uneven
|walk on uneven ground
Synonyms
bumpy (More informal and strongly suggests bumps.)
|
rough (Often implies texture as well as lack of smoothness.)
|
irregular (More general and slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
even (Level and uniform.)
|
smooth (Without bumps or roughness.)
|
level (Flat and not sloping.)
Themes
daily_life
|nature
|construction
|travel
Definition
Not flat or smooth; bumpy.
Not level, flat, or smooth; having bumps, dips, or rough patches.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
uneven [amount/number/length/edges/sides]
The cake slices were uneven, so we cut a few smaller pieces.
A tortaszeletek nem voltak egyformák, ezért vágtunk még néhány kisebb darabot.
There was uneven wear on the tires after the long trip.
A hosszú út után egyenetlen kopás látszott a gumiabroncsokon.
The paint went on in an uneven layer.
Learner examples
The two sides are uneven.
A két oldal nem egyforma.
Please cut it into even pieces, not uneven ones.
Kérlek, egyforma darabokra vágd fel, ne különböző méretűekre.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *uneven* with *odd* (as in an odd number). In modern English, *uneven* usually means ‘not equal’ or ‘not level,’ not ‘odd.’
Meaning
not equal in size or amount
Collocations
uneven distribution
|uneven edges
|uneven sides
|uneven amounts
|uneven numbers
|uneven portions
|uneven spacing
|uneven growth
|uneven wear
|uneven cut
Synonyms
unequal (Focuses on amounts or status rather than physical shape.)
|
lopsided (Suggests a noticeable imbalance, often physical.)
|
asymmetrical (Technical/design term for not matching on both sides.)
Antonyms
equal (The same in size, amount, or value.)
|
uniform (Evenly spread or consistent across parts.)
|
symmetrical (Matching on both sides.)
Themes
daily_life
|math
|food
|design
Definition
Not equal; not the same in all parts.
Not equal in size, amount, number, or measurement; not the same on both sides or in all parts.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
uneven [performance/progress/quality/results]
Her work has been uneven this year—excellent in places but careless in others.
A munkája idén nem volt egyenletes színvonalú: helyenként kiváló, máshol viszont hanyag.
The team’s performance was uneven, especially in the second half.
A csapat teljesítménye hullámzó volt, különösen a második félidőben.
Rainfall has been uneven across the region.
Learner examples
His progress is uneven.
Nem egyenletes a fejlődése.
The results were uneven from month to month.
Az eredmények hónapról hónapra nem voltak egyenletesek.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse *uneven* where *different* is enough. *Uneven* suggests an irregular pattern (ups and downs), not just difference.
Meaning
not consistent; varies a lot
Collocations
uneven performance
|uneven progress
|uneven quality
|uneven results
|uneven growth
|uneven development
|uneven rhythm
|uneven pace
|uneven recovery
|uneven turnout
Synonyms
inconsistent (Emphasizes lack of reliability across time.)
|
patchy (Informal; suggests good and bad parts mixed together.)
|
variable (More formal; emphasizes changeability.)
Antonyms
consistent (Steady and reliable over time.)
|
steady (Not changing much; stable.)
|
uniform (The same throughout.)
Themes
work
|education
|health
|sports
Definition
Not steady; sometimes good and sometimes bad.
Not consistent in quality, strength, or level; having noticeable highs and lows over time or across parts.
C1
4
egyenlőtlen
B2
egyoldalú
B1
Usage pattern:
an uneven [contest/fight/competition]
It was an uneven contest, and the champion won easily.
Egyenlőtlen küzdelem volt, és a bajnok könnyedén nyert.
Many small businesses say they’re competing on an uneven field.
Sok kisvállalkozás azt mondja, hogy nem egyenlő feltételek mellett versenyeznek.
The deal reflected an uneven balance of power.
Learner examples
The match was uneven.
A mérkőzés egyoldalú volt.
They want a fair, not an uneven, competition.
Tisztességes, nem pedig egyenlőtlen versenyt akarnak.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *uneven* with *unfair*. An uneven situation often feels unfair, but *uneven* specifically highlights imbalance between sides.
Meaning
imbalanced; giving one side advantage
Collocations
uneven contest
|uneven fight
|uneven competition
|uneven battle
|uneven power balance
|uneven access
|uneven playing field
|uneven relationship
|uneven partnership
|uneven negotiations
Synonyms
unbalanced (General term for lack of balance or equal strength.)
|
one-sided (Often used when one side dominates.)
|
unfair (Focuses on justice rather than imbalance itself.)
Antonyms
balanced (Equal strength or influence on both sides.)
|
fair (Just and not biased.)
|
evenly matched (Similar in ability or strength.)
Themes
sports
|business
|society
|law
Definition
Not fair because one side is much stronger or has more advantages.
Imbalanced in a way that gives one side a much greater advantage or makes outcomes less fair or comparable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
uneven
IPA
GB/ʌnˈivən/
US/ʌnˈivən/
Syllables & stress
un - even (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (even)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: uneven
Expressions
uneven bars
1/ʌnˈivən bˈɑɹz/
fixed phrase
gymnastics apparatus with two bars
Two gymnastics bars at different heights.
Examples
- She won silver on the uneven bars.
- The gymnast fell during her uneven bars routine.
- Uneven bars requires a lot of upper-body strength.
Learner examples
- She practices on the uneven bars.
uneven match
1/ʌnˈivən mˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
contest between unequal opponents
A match where one side is much better.
Examples
- It was an uneven match, and the newcomers struggled from the start.
- Putting a beginner against a pro makes for an uneven match.
- The coach tried to avoid uneven matches in the tournament.
Learner examples
- It was an uneven match.
uneven playing field
1/ʌnˈivən plˈeɪɪŋ fˈild/
idiom
unfair situation with advantages
A situation that is not fair because some people have more advantages.
Examples
- Without affordable childcare, many parents start with an uneven playing field at work.
- The new rules create an uneven playing field for smaller companies.
- They are pushing for reforms to level the playing field.
Learner examples
- This policy creates an uneven playing field.
- We need a level playing field.