underdeveloped

American  

[uhn-der-di-vel-uhpt] / ˌʌn dər dɪˈvɛl əpt /

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.

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underdeveloped British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of underdeveloped

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

Example Sentences

Brazil tilts more toward financials and commodities—it is one of the world’s major sources of iron ore, and has vast, underdeveloped rare-earth deposits.

From Barron's

Processing facilities are struggling against high costs, exploration activities are underdeveloped and mining projects can take decades to get up and running, according to the report.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was three months premature; my lungs were underdeveloped; I weighed two pounds and barely spanned the length of the doctor’s hand.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Capitol building ought to be the symbolic center of the city—as it is in the street grid with its four quadrants—but the avenue running east is underdeveloped.

From The Wall Street Journal

Brazil is one of the world’s major sources of the world’s iron ore, and has vast—yet underdeveloped—deposits of rare earths such as manganese, Lifton said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• embryonic
• nascent
• undeveloped