developing

American  

[dih-vel-uh-ping] / dɪˈvɛl ə pɪŋ /

adjective

1. undergoing development; growing; evolving.

2. (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.

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Other Word Forms

• nondeveloping adjective
• self-developing adjective
• undeveloping adjective

Etymology

Origin of developing

First recorded in 1765–75; develop + -ing ²

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

The response has been a far cry from the blue “HANDS OFF OUR YARDS!” signs that multiplied across Los Angeles foothill neighborhoods last year as the board began developing the rules in earnest.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

Protecting democracies required "hard power", he said, while "theatrical debates about the merits of developing technologies with critical military and national security applications" would see the US lose ground to its adversaries.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

"Both countries have undertaken the task of making...military plans, but also the immediate establishment of mechanisms for sharing information and for developing intelligence," Rodriguez said for her part.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Mr. Gibbs is developing a science, grounded mostly in rhythm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

One stated, “In developing countries, people with multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis usually die, because effective treatment is often impossible in poor countries.”

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• booming
• burgeoning
• flourishing
• growing
• healthy
• prosperous
• robust
• wealthy