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developing

/dəˈvɛləpɪŋ/
/dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ/
IPA guide

Use the adjective developing to describe a country that's relatively poor and has a lower standard of living than most other countries in the world.

There's not a specific standard for calling a country developing, but there are some societies that most of the world agrees are less industrialized than most. Developing countries generally have poorer people and a less vibrant economy than more developed countries. Some countries object to being called developing, since it implies that all countries want to become "developed," or more Western in their economy and government, which is not necessarily true.

Definitions of developing
  1. adjective
    relating to societies in which capital needed to industrialize is in short supply
    synonyms: underdeveloped
    nonindustrial
    not having highly developed manufacturing enterprises
  2. noun
    processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible
    synonyms: development
    see moresee less
    types:
    underdevelopment
    (photography) inadequate processing of film resulting in inadequate contrast
    type of:
    processing
    preparing or putting through a prescribed procedure
Pronunciation
US
/dəˈvɛləpɪŋ/
UK
/dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘developing'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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