underdeveloped

[ uhn-der-di-vel-uh pt ]

/ ˌʌn dər dɪˈvɛl əpt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR underdeveloped ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

improperly or insufficiently developed.

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

developing(def 2).

Nearby words

undercurrent, undercut, undercutter, underdaks, underdevelop, underdeveloped, underdo, underdog, underdone, underdraft, underdrain

Origin of underdeveloped

First recorded in 1890–95; under- + develop + -ed²

Definition for underdeveloped (2 of 2)

underdevelop

[ uhn-der-di-vel-uh p ]

/ ˌʌn dər dɪˈvɛl əp /

verb (used with object)

to develop (something) short of the required amount: to underdevelop film.

Origin of underdevelop

under- + develop

Related forms

un·der·de·vel·op·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for underdeveloped

Since her lower jaw is underdeveloped and her teeth never grew in, her little tongue is permanently sticking out.
Lil Bub, the World’s Cutest Cat, Stars in Documentary ‘Lil Bub & Friendz’ at Tribeca|Marlow Stern|April 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As part of the speculation about his love life, a rumor had gone around that Hoover had an underdeveloped sex organ.
Hoover’s Secret Files|Ronald Kessler|August 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I think he sees the network as an underdeveloped asset that is poised to be souped up and made more relevant and competitive.
Current TV Attempts to Reboot|Peter Lauria|October 13, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The men had better heads than the women, underdeveloped yet comparatively well balanced.
In the Forbidden Land|Arnold Henry Savage Landor

Underdeveloped, because with physical tools its development had been made unnecessary?
Eight Keys to Eden|Mark Irvin Clifton
This is more likely against a modernized, developed state than an underdeveloped government.
Shock and Awe|Harlan K. Ullman
How truly magnificent were the men of her own kind when compared with these underdeveloped, almost frail, Ammadians!
The Return of Tharn|Howard Carleton Browne
An overdeveloped child is likely to be an underdeveloped man.
Outwitting Our Nerves|Josephine A. Jackson and Helen M. Salisbury

British Dictionary definitions for underdeveloped (1 of 2)

underdeveloped

/ (ˌʌndədɪˈvɛləpt) /

adjective

immature or undersized

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

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

British Dictionary definitions for underdeveloped (2 of 2)

underdevelop

/ (ˌʌndədɪˈvɛləp) /

verb

(tr) photog to process (a film, plate, or paper) in developer for less than the required time, or at too low a temperature, or in an exhausted solution

Derived Forms

underdevelopment, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

underdeveloped

adjective

Nearby words

Origin of underdeveloped

Definition for underdeveloped (2 of 2)

underdevelop

verb (used with object)

Origin of underdevelop

Related forms

Examples from the Web for underdeveloped

British Dictionary definitions for underdeveloped (1 of 2)

underdeveloped

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for underdeveloped (2 of 2)

underdevelop

verb

Derived Forms

Medicine definitions for underdeveloped

underdeveloped

adj.