undergrown

[ uhn-der-grohn, uhn-der-grohn ]

adjective

1. not grown grown to normal size or height:

   sickly and undergrown cattle.

2. having an undergrowth:

   an undergrown thicket tangled with creeping vines.

undergrown

/ ˌʌndəˈɡrəʊn; ˈʌndəˌɡrəʊn /

adjective

1. not having the expected height
2. having undergrowth

Word History and Origins

Origin of undergrown¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; under-, grown

Example Sentences

He would set fire to dry grass—watching the short flames trail along the ground and the grass-smoke rise—but only in certain places where the trees were tall and well-spaced, the brush not undergrown, and the conditions not too dangerous.

From Popular-Science

The wretched, undergrown youngsters seen in European circuses give no idea of the real size of this noble beast.

From Project Gutenberg

As I recall his personality, he was an undergrown youth of sallow complexion and uncertain age.

From Project Gutenberg

The timber being undergrown with laurel through which ran a brook of clear water.

From Project Gutenberg

It was kind of a big head, bald big head, looked like Khrushchev, the child—looked like an undergrown Khrushchev.

From Project Gutenberg

All at once Huggins caught sight of an undergrown, misshapen boy scowling from the back of the men and women.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• childish
• premature