undeveloped

Adjective

undeveloped (not comparable)

1. Not developed or used.
   • These developments, most of which have taken place during the past 30 years, are remarkable in view of the low traffic density, except in the neighbourhood of Oslo, and the very extensive undeveloped areas of mountain and virgin forest.1952 January, “Electrification Progress in Norway”, in Railway Magazine, page 54
   • We now also know adding Valančiūnas also yielded a pair of future second-round picks and another young wing (Cissoko) with positional size (and an undeveloped skill set).2025 February 6, Josh Robbins, David Aldridge, Zach Powell, “Kings to acquire Jonas Valančiūnas from Wizards for 2028, 2029 draft picks”, in New York Times

   Synonyms:

   primitive, rudimentary, unrefined, crude, garagelike, rough, rude, rudimental

   Antonyms:

   developed, refined, sophisticated

2. not built on, unbuilt; not ready for building on
   • The message from the authorities is straightforward: undeveloped land within city boundaries should no longer be treated as a passive investment, it must be used productively.2025 December 26, “Saudi Arabia introduces new White Land Rules, imposes fines up to 100% on undeveloped plots”, in Times of India

   Synonyms:

   empty, vacant

   Antonyms:

   built-up, developed

3. lagging behind others, especially in economic or social matters
   • Running as full of enthusiasm as they can, some undeveloped countries are falling farther behind—their needs are growing faster than their achievements.1958 May, Stevan Dedijer, “The Birth and Death of a Myth”, in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, volume 14, number 5, page 164

   Synonyms:

   developing, third-world

   Antonyms:

   advanced, developed