underdeveloped
/ˌʌndədɪˈveləpt/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌʌndɚdɪvˈɛləpt] /ˌʌndərdɪˈveləpt/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌʌndɚdɪvˈɛləpt] /ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)/ (ame, mw)
underdeveloped — adjective
- underdevelopedpositive
- more underdevelopedcomparative
- most underdevelopedsuperlative
1. used especially for a country or region with little industry and too few roads,
used especially for a country or region with little industry and too few roads, hospitals, or other basic public services.
Many villages in the underdeveloped region still share one small clinic.
underdeveloped + region
Elena taught in an underdeveloped area where buses stopped before sunset.
underdeveloped + area with weak transport
Aid workers said the underdeveloped island needed better water systems.
Doctors left because the underdeveloped province lacked reliable hospital equipment.
Obi grew up in an underdeveloped farming area with rough dirt roads.
- developing
More neutral and forward-looking, especially in formal discussion of economies.
- less developed
Formal phrase that stresses lower economic development without the same negative tone.
- impoverished
Focuses on poverty among people rather than on industry and infrastructure.
- developed
Describes countries or regions with advanced industry and strong public services.
- industrialized
Stresses the presence of large-scale industry.
- prosperous
Focuses more on wealth and success than on infrastructure itself.
文法句型
underdeveloped + country/region/area
be underdeveloped in basic services
用法筆記
Usually describes countries, regions, or public systems in discussions of economic and social conditions. Distinguish from sense 2, which can describe body parts, skills, plans, or drafts rather than whole places.
常見錯誤
2. describing a body part, ability, idea, or project that has not grown or progress
describing a body part, ability, idea, or project that has not grown or progressed enough yet.
The doctor said the baby's lungs were still underdeveloped at birth.
be underdeveloped at birth
Years away from school left Erik's reading skills underdeveloped.
leave + skills + underdeveloped
Sora felt shy because one arm looked underdeveloped after the accident.
After months indoors alone, the puppy's social skills were still underdeveloped.
The first draft looked underdeveloped, so Lisa added clearer scenes.
- immature
Can overlap for people or ideas, but often suggests emotional or mental lack of maturity.
- incomplete
Focuses on missing parts, not on weak growth over time.
- weak
A broader everyday word that stresses poor strength or ability rather than development.
- developed
Shows that growth or progress has reached a fuller stage.
- mature
Stresses full growth or readiness.
- well-formed
Often used when structure or shape has developed properly.
文法句型
underdeveloped + muscles/skills/plan
be underdeveloped at birth
用法筆記
Often used for body parts, abilities, ideas, or projects when growth or progress is incomplete. Distinguish from sense 1, which is mainly about countries or regions lacking basic infrastructure and services.