underdeveloped

[uhn-der-di-vel-uhpt]

adjective

1. improperly or insufficiently developed.

2. Photography.,  (of a negative) less developed than is normal, so as to produce a relatively dark positive lacking in contrast.

3. developing.

underdeveloped

/ ˌʌndədɪˈvɛləpt /

adjective

1. immature or undersized

2. relating to societies in which both the surplus capital and the social organization necessary to advance are lacking

3. photog (of a film, plate, or print) processed in developer for less than the required time, thus lacking in contrast

Word History and Origins

Origin of underdeveloped¹

First recorded in 1890–95; under- + develop + -ed ²

Example Sentences

But its production infrastructure is still underdeveloped, making processing relatively expensive, Ms Zhang said.

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"People often assume rural means underdeveloped, but our centres mirror urban IT hubs in every way – secure data access, reliable connectivity, and uninterrupted power. The only difference is geography. "

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“Exit barriers are a key reason for India’s underdeveloped manufacturing sector,” said Shoumitro Chatterjee, co-author of a new paper on Indian manufacturing and an assistant professor of international economics at Johns Hopkins University.

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Too much leads to flabby and underdeveloped minds.

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Maoist-affected regions remain among India's poorest and most underdeveloped, despite rich natural resources, with ordinary citizens - especially tribal communities- bearing the heaviest burden.

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Related Words

• embryonic 
• nascent 
• undeveloped