Definition

Having fewer people living in an area than is typical or needed.

Example

The town is underpopulated, making it difficult to sustain local businesses.

Conversation

Have you noticed how underpopulated some of the neighborhoods are now?

Yeah, it's surprising for a city this size.

I guess people are moving to the suburbs more often.

That makes sense, but it would be nice to see them more lively again.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Underpopulated → It is formed from "under-" (meaning below or insufficient) and "populated" (from Latin "populatus", meaning to populate or fill with people). The word describes an area that has a population below what is considered normal or sufficient.

Memory Tip

Think of 'under-' meaning below and 'populated' meaning filled with people — so underpopulated means there are not enough people in a place.

Visually Confused Words