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

There are undeveloped fields, where oil or gas are confirmed but not yet produced. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 19 Apr. 2026

One of South Carolina’s biggest barrier islands, Edisto Island, is intentionally undeveloped. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services owns vacant land that likely will remain undeveloped for the foreseeable future. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026

In the latest step to preserve agriculture and open space in Coyote Valley, the largely undeveloped area on San Jose’s southern edges that was once planned for large technology campuses, a non-profit environmental group has purchased a 71-acre farm to keep it rural for generations to come. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 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