English Reference
Adjective

undeveloped

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌəndɪˈvɛɫəpt/ UK /ˌʌndɪvˈɛləpt/ un·de·vel·oped

adj.describing something that has not grown or improved yet. You use this for land without buildings or for skills that need more work.

adj.not having reached a mature or advanced state; lacking necessary growth or infrastructure. Often used to describe land that has not been built upon or potential that remains untapped.


SIMPLE

The park consists of undeveloped land near the river.

CONTEXTUAL

The company decided not to build on the undeveloped plot because the soil was too soft for a foundation.

COMPLEX

While the athlete possesses immense raw power, his technical skills remain undeveloped, requiring a rigorous training program to prepare him for professional competition.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'remain' or 'stay'.

Kendrick also assumed control of the newly reorganized SCEA, leading the charge to move the fairgrounds from Fairmount Park to a largely undeveloped area in the Vare stronghold of South Philadelphia .

Smithsonian Magazine· 16 Jun 2026

From un- + developed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated