Unevenly: meaning, definitions and examples

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unevenly

 

[ ʌnˈiːvənli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

in a non-uniform manner

Not evenly distributed or balanced; in an irregular or unequal manner.

Synonyms

inconsistently, irregularly, unequally.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unevenly

Use this when referring to something that is not level or smooth, often in a physical sense. It can also describe unequal distribution in a non-physical sense.

  • The roads in the village were unevenly paved.
  • The cake was cut unevenly, leaving some pieces larger than others.
irregularly

This term should be used for events or patterns that occur at unpredictable intervals, lacking regularity or order.

  • The meetings were held irregularly, with no fixed schedule.
  • The child’s heart was beating irregularly, causing concern for the doctors.
unequally

Use this word when referring to situations where resources, opportunities, or treatments are not distributed evenly or fairly among participants.

  • The wealth was divided unequally among the heirs.
  • The students complained that they were being graded unequally.
inconsistently

This is appropriate when describing actions, behaviors, or occurrences that do not follow a regular pattern, lacking cohesion or uniformity.

  • She performed inconsistently throughout the competition.
  • The weather has been behaving inconsistently this winter.

Examples of usage

  • The cake was baked unevenly, with one side burnt and the other side undercooked.
  • She applied the paint unevenly, resulting in streaks and patches on the wall.
  • The weight of the luggage was unevenly distributed, causing the suitcase to tip over.
  • The students were seated unevenly in the classroom, with some at the front and others at the back.
  • The financial burden was unevenly shared among the team members, leading to resentment and discord.

Translations

Translations of the word "unevenly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desigualmente

🇮🇳 असमान रूप से

🇩🇪 ungleichmäßig

🇮🇩 tidak merata

🇺🇦 нерівномірно

🇵🇱 nierówno

🇯🇵 不均等に (ふきんとうに)

🇫🇷 inégalement

🇪🇸 desigualmente

🇹🇷 düzensizce

🇰🇷 고르지 않게

🇸🇦 بشكل غير متساوٍ

🇨🇿 nerovnoměrně

🇸🇰 nerovnomerne

🇨🇳 不均匀地

🇸🇮 neenakomerno

🇮🇸 ójafnt

🇰🇿 тең емес

🇬🇪 არათანაბრად

🇦🇿 bərabərsiz

🇲🇽 desigualmente

Etymology

The word 'unevenly' is derived from the combination of 'uneven' (not level or smooth) + 'ly' (suffix forming adverbs indicating manner or condition). The concept of unevenness has been observed in various aspects of life, from physical surfaces to distributions of resources. The need to describe the lack of uniformity led to the formation of 'unevenly' to convey this specific meaning in English language.

See also: even, evening, evenly, evenness, uneven.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,876, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.