underdeveloped

adjective

un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləpt 

1

: not normally or adequately developed

underdeveloped muscles

underdeveloped film

2

: having a relatively low economic level of industrial production and standard of living (as from lack of capital)

underdeveloped nations

underdevelopment

ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləp-mənt 

noun

Examples of underdeveloped in a Sentence

The baby was born with underdeveloped lungs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Infrastructure as the Foundation of Scalable Innovation Across emerging markets, innovation often begins with solving immediate needs, and in Africa, those needs frequently rest within systems that are still underdeveloped or fragmented. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2026

How To Tell If An Avocado Is Underripe All avocados are hard when underripe and have an underdeveloped flavor. —Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026

Almost all of us are severely underdeveloped in at least one. —Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026

Its content arm is similarly underdeveloped relative to the company’s large reach. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underdeveloped

• developed
• enveloped
• redeveloped
• undeveloped

Kids Definition

underdeveloped

adjective

un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt 

1

: not developed normally or enough

underdeveloped muscles

2

: having a low level of industrial production and standard of living

the underdeveloped nations

Medical Definition

underdeveloped

adjective

un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt 

: not normally or adequately developed

underdeveloped muscles

underdeveloped lungs