Skip to main content
unevolved

unevolved

1 7.2
Not changed from an earlier, simpler form
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnɪˈvɑlvd/
: no evolucionado
  • Her arguments against technological advances appeared unevolved, reflecting outdated and simplistic thinking.

Examples

  • They hired an old retired psychologist, formerly of the Johns Hopkins gender identity clinic in the 1960s, with views on trans people that have remained unevolved since then.

    Blog text (13)
  • Unevolved and at war with one another.

  • A missing link between the unevolved primate and the ape.

  • As he did this, he pushed out his bottom lip, which gave him a moronic, unevolved look.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The largest diffuse galaxies in Impey's survey contain lots of cold gas, but have formed relatively few stars; that is, they are relatively "unevolved" galaxies.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The behavior of the tribe seemed unevolved, as they relied on primitive tools and rituals.

  • Scientists believe that certain species remain unevolved, showing little change over millions of years.

Synonyms

unreformed
vsunevolved
1 5.9

Not changed from an older way of doing things

focuses on missing natural development or advancement rather than deliberate reform
unenhanced
vsunevolved
1 5.4

Not changed to make a picture or sound better

is about lack of development or advancement from an earlier simpler form
unrevised
vsunevolved
1 5.4

Not changed from its original form

implies absence of development or advancement over time instead of simple editing
unrenovated
vsunevolved
1 6.2

In its original condition without repairs or updates

refers to lack of development or advancement from a simpler earlier stage
unamended
vsunevolved
  • Formal
1 6.7

Not changed from its original form

covers lack of development or advancement broadly rather than only unchanged documents

Antonyms

393 4.0

At a very high level of skill, knowledge, or development

How Evolved

advanced
393 4.0
developed
61 2.3
unevolved
1 7.2
rudimentary
36 5.1
primitive
171 5.1

Surface Forms

unevolved positive

Morphology

unevolved = evolved (transparent) = un + evolve + ed

The adjective is formed by straightforward negation of 'evolved' with the productive prefix 'un-'; learners who know 'evolved' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word unevolved is made of un- 'not' and evolve 'to develop'. Evolve once meant 'to unroll' like a scroll, so unevolved means 'not developed' or still in an earlier, simpler form.