developed

1 of 2

adjective

de·​vel·​oped di-ˈve-ləpt 

dē-

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

a developed country

developed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of develop

Synonyms of developed

Adjective

• evolved
• improved
• advanced
• higher

Examples of developed in a Sentence

Adjective

The disease is almost unheard of in developed countries.

The younger plant has a less developed root system.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Bedbug populations in developed countries were decimated after World War II due to the widespread use of the pesticide DDT. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Clean water and advanced medicine, for example, are now commonplace across much of the developed world despite once being a luxury even kings and queens couldn’t reliably access. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026

The executive order draws its recommendations from a January review that compared the childhood vaccine schedule in the US with those of other developed countries. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

She’s worked with major brands from LEGO to Lululemon to Gucci and developed award-wining campaigns including Dream Big, Princess, and Force Friday. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see develop

First Known Use

Adjective

1949, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing developed

• hyper-developed
• well-developed

Rhymes for developed

• redeveloped
• undeveloped
• enveloped
• underdeveloped

Kids Definition

developed

adjective

de·​vel·​oped di-ˈvel-əpt 

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

a developed country