underdeveloped

[ uhn-der-di-vel-uh pt ]
/ ˌʌn dər dɪˈvɛl əpt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR underdeveloped ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

improperly or insufficiently developed.
Photography. (of a negative) less developed than is normal, so as to produce a relatively dark positive lacking in contrast.
developing(def 2).

Origin of underdeveloped

First recorded in 1890–95; under- + develop + -ed2

Words nearby underdeveloped

undercurrent, undercut, undercutter, underdaks, underdevelop, underdeveloped, underdo, underdog, underdone, underdraft, underdrain

Definition for underdeveloped (2 of 2)

underdevelop
[ uhn-der-di-vel-uh p ]
/ ˌʌn dər dɪˈvɛl əp /

verb (used with object)

to develop (something) short of the required amount: to underdevelop film.

Origin of underdevelop

under- + develop

OTHER WORDS FROM underdevelop

un·der·de·vel·op·ment, noun

Words related to underdeveloped

disadvantaged, poor, impoverished, undeveloped, lagging, weak, embryonic, nascent, immature, small, undersized, inchoate, rudimentary

Example sentences from the Web for underdeveloped

British Dictionary definitions for underdeveloped (1 of 2)

underdeveloped
/ (ˌʌndədɪˈvɛləpt) /

adjective

immature or undersized
relating to societies in which both the surplus capital and the social organization necessary to advance are lacking
photog (of a film, plate, or print) processed in developer for less than the required time, thus lacking in contrast

British Dictionary definitions for underdeveloped (2 of 2)

underdevelop
/ (ˌʌndədɪˈvɛləp) /

verb

(tr) photog to process (a film, plate, or paper) in developer for less than the required time, or at too low a temperature, or in an exhausted solution

Derived forms of underdevelop

underdevelopment, noun

Medical definitions for underdeveloped

underdeveloped
[ ŭn′dər-dĭ-vĕl′əpt ]

adj.

Not adequately or normally developed; immature.