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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of underdeveloped

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

underdeveloped

Confidence estimates are also lower for underdeveloped parts of the world, where a lack of consistent, long-term records limits attribution science's reach.

From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026

"Weak governance, poor oversight, ineffective escalation, and underdeveloped leadership created the conditions in which patients were seriously harmed," the chair added.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

It only takes one attention-grabbing and theologically underdeveloped topic for these competing incentives to create drama.

From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026

While much of “Fatherland” feels underdeveloped, it is to Ms. Shorr’s credit that she has let Martin remain a disturbing enigma.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 26, 2026

“Your police department—others as well—may have retired, very probably have retired, authentic humans with underdeveloped empathic ability, such as my innocent niece here. Your position, Mr. Deckard, is extremely bad morally. Ours isn’t.”

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Related Words

• embryonic
• nascent
• undeveloped