underpopulated

American

[uhn-der-pop-yuh-ley-tid] / ˌʌn dərˈpɒp yəˌleɪ tɪd /

adjective

having a population lower than is normal or desirable.

underpopulated British

/ ˌʌndəˈpɒpjʊˌleɪtɪd /

adjective

having a low population rate

"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

Other Word Forms

underpopulation noun

Etymology

Origin of underpopulated

First recorded in 1880–85; under- + populate + -ed ²

Vocabulary lists containing underpopulated

Human Geography - Middle School

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Human Geography - High School

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For investors skittish about jumping in, there are other underpopulated corners of AI to explore.

From Barron's • Dec. 29, 2025

In an era where escaping the bustle of the city often means swapping one type of crowd for another, Kings Canyon is an underpopulated gem that, for now, proves that nature can still be peaceful.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2024

This convention is underpopulated, overpoliced and entirely devoid of drama.

From Salon • Jul. 18, 2024

Instead of moving 90,000 residents out of the overpopulated district and into the underpopulated one, the state swapped more than 50,000 residents into the overpopulated district and moved 140,000 residents out of it.

From Slate • Oct. 11, 2023

The closer victory came the faster we were shuttled around America in pursuit of a role to play in a drama which suddenly, underpopulated from the first, now had too many actors.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023