developing
Americanadjective
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undergoing development; growing; evolving.
-
(of a nation or geographical area) having a standard of living or level of industrial production well below that possible with financial or technical aid; not yet highly industrialized.
the developing world.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of developing
Explanation
Use the adjective developing to describe a country that's relatively poor and has a lower standard of living than most other countries in the world. There's not a specific standard for calling a country developing, but there are some societies that most of the world agrees are less industrialized than most. Developing countries generally have poorer people and a less vibrant economy than more developed countries. Some countries object to being called developing, since it implies that all countries want to become "developed," or more Western in their economy and government, which is not necessarily true.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Once this clears, many places should see sunshine developing, and across England and Wales temperatures could widely reach 18-21 Celsius.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
The city was developing alternative pontoon crossings to help ease the gridlock, the mayor added.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
The work advances a strategy the research team has been developing for years.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
It has recently expanded its hotels business, developing The Bedford Hotel in Belfast and buying The Waterfoot in Derry.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
This was the first time she'd seen her like this, and she started to apologize, but Brigit was already in her trance, hands moving, a beautiful tapestry developing in her lap.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
