underdeveloped

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

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of underdeveloped

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

play \ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləp-mənt\ noun

See underdeveloped defined for English-language learners

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Examples of underdeveloped in a Sentence

The baby was born with underdeveloped lungs.

Recent Examples of underdeveloped from the Web

But there are still vacant and underdeveloped sites throughout the valley.

— tom daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Site beneath Milwaukee's High Rise Bridge awaits next wave of Menomonee Valley development," 11 May 2018
The available roles were oftentimes racist, sexist or woefully underdeveloped.

— gabrielle union, Time, "Gabrielle Union: How We Can Fix Hollywood’s Representation Problem," 10 May 2018
Poor and underdeveloped societies will be challenged to generate sufficient productive employment to lift their people out of poverty.

— howard w. french, WSJ, "‘Us vs. Them’ Review: The Haves and Have-Nots," 23 Apr. 2018
Officials had said the Paralympics will help transform one of the nation’s poorest and most underdeveloped areas into a safer and more accessible place for disabled people.

— Washington Post, "Paralympics fans had difficult time, changes may not happen," 18 Mar. 2018
Pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with weakened or underdeveloped immune systems -- such as those with HIV/AIDS -- are most likely to contract listeriosis.

— paul burkhardt, Bloomberg.com, "What’s Behind the Deadliest Outbreak of Listeriosis," 15 Mar. 2018
Buland's plan is a promising prospect for a prominent but underdeveloped street corner in Midtown.

— steve vockrodt, kansascity, "For a dilapidated corner in Midtown KC, a $50 million project combines old and new | The Kansas City Star," 15 Mar. 2018
Fourteen companies are qualified to bid for exploration and development rights for 11 underdeveloped blocks.

— Washington Post, "Iraq’s move to rush oil bidding could deter some firms," 25 Apr. 2018
The school has nothing, lacks sufficient funding, and has extremely underdeveloped educational programs as a direct consequence.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Hebron Edition," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underdeveloped.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of underdeveloped

1892

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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UNDERDEVELOPED Defined for English Language Learners

underdeveloped

adjective

Definition of underdeveloped for English Language Learners

: not developed to a normal size or strength
of a country, society, etc. : having many poor people and few industries

Medical Dictionary

underdeveloped

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

medical Definition of underdeveloped

: not normally or adequately developed

underdeveloped muscles

underdeveloped lungs

Learn More about underdeveloped

Spanish Central: Translation of underdeveloped Nglish: Translation of underdeveloped for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of underdeveloped for Arabic speakers

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underdeveloped

Definition of underdeveloped

underdevelopment

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UNDERDEVELOPED Defined for English Language Learners

underdeveloped

Definition of underdeveloped for English Language Learners

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underdeveloped

medical Definition of underdeveloped

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underdevelopment

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