underserved

Definitions

under- ('insufficiently') + served = not served enough. A modern social/economic term: underserved communities lack adequate healthcare, banking, or schooling. Don't confuse with 'undeserved' (not earned) — one missing 'e' flips the meaning.

Common Collocations

• 1.underserved communities服务不足的社区
• 2.underserved populations弱势群体
• 3.underserved areas资源匮乏地区
• 4.underserved markets未充分开发的市场

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The clinic focuses on underserved rural communities.

• 2.

  Many underserved markets remain untapped by big banks.

Easily Confused

underserved vs undeserved — underserved (under + serve) = not given enough service (underserved communities). undeserved (un + deserve) = not earned, unfair (undeserved criticism). The first is about service, the second about merit.