developing
Americanadjective
-
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.
"My cousin who isn't allergic to anything started developing allergies. My husband is the first one who had itchy eyes and throat."
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Faraday Future says its expensive battery-powered luxury vehicles were never meant for the mass market, and it is developing a more affordable electric van that could be delivered as early as next year.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
It is not known how the developing El Niño over the Pacific Ocean will impact Britain's winter.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Faced with the threat of U.S. tariffs, Chinese exporters have increasingly turned to developing markets for business, including expanding the global sales of automobiles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 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.
