Definition of uneven

The word "uneven" has its roots in Old English. It is derived from the prefix "un-" meaning "opposite of" and the word "even" meaning "flat" or "smooth". In the 13th century, the term "uneven" emerged to describe something that is irregularly shaped or sized, lacking uniformity. This sense of the word remained dominant until the 17th century, when it began to imply lack of smoothness or flatness, such as an uneven path or surface. Over time, the word's meaning expanded to convey a sense of unfairness or inequality, as seen in phrases like "uneven playing field" or "uneven distribution of resources". Today, "uneven" is used to describe a wide range of contexts, from physical landscapes to social systems, to convey a sense of irregularity or imbalance.