Underpresented

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Lacking adequate representation or presence within a group or context
2. Being shown or included in smaller numbers than expected or needed
3. Having fewer members or less visibility than is proportionate or desirable

Etymology: "Underrepresented" is built from the prefix "under-" (meaning insufficiently or below a proper level) and "represented," the past participle of "represent," which traces back through Old French "representer" to Latin "repraesentare," "to present again or bring before the eyes." Combined, the word describes a group or perspective that is insufficiently presented or portrayed. The "under-" prefix is an old and productive English formation, found in words like "undercooked" and "underpaid," and "underrepresented" follows the same pattern. Its main use is in discussions of social, political and demographic participation, where it describes groups whose share of seats, roles or visibility falls short of their proportion of the population.

Synonyms: underexposed, underrepresented

Antonyms: overpresented, overexposed, overrepresented