undeveloped

adjective

un·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-di-ˈve-ləpt 

-dē-

: not developed : lacking in development

undeveloped natural resources

undeveloped potential

undeveloped film

undeveloped seeds

: such as

a

: not used for building, farming, industry, etc.

undeveloped land

an area of undeveloped wilderness

b

: having a relatively low level of industrialization and standard of living

undeveloped countries/nations

Examples of undeveloped in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Behind them, the undeveloped Puente Hills Preserve loomed on the horizon. —Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

The Los Gatos property remains undeveloped in the wake of its prior owner’s financial setbacks. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026

Established Infrastructure and an Experienced Workforce Unsurprisingly, unexplored regions are often undeveloped ones. —William Jones, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

While the entire National Seashore is known for its pristine, undeveloped beaches, Shackleford Banks is famous because of its only residents, the Shackleford Horses, a herd of wild Spanish horses that roam freely on the island. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for undeveloped

• underdeveloped
• developed
• enveloped
• redeveloped

Medical Definition

undeveloped

adjective

un·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-di-ˈvel-əpt 

: lacking in development : not developed

physiologically undeveloped