IPA: /ˌʌndərɪnˈvɛstmənt/
KK: /ʌndərˈɪnvɛstmənt/
A situation where not enough money is invested in something, leading to poor results or lack of growth.
The company's underinvestment in new technology has caused it to fall behind its competitors.
Underinvestment → It is formed from "under-" (meaning below or insufficiently) and "investment" (from Latin "investire", meaning to clothe or put on). The word refers to the act of investing insufficiently or below the necessary level.
Think of 'under-' meaning below or insufficient, and 'investment' as putting resources into something. This helps you remember that underinvestment means not putting enough resources into an endeavor.