micro
[ mahy-kroh ]
/ ˈmaɪ kroʊ /
Save This Word!
adjective
extremely small.
minute in scope or capability.
of or relating to microcomputers.
of or relating to microeconomics.
noun, plural mi·cros.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"
"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."
Question 1 of 7
IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?
Origin of micro
Independent use of micro-, or shortening of words with this initial element
Other definitions for micro (2 of 2)
micro-
a combining form with the meanings “small” (microcosm; microgamete), “very small in comparison with others of its kind” (microcassette; microlith), “too small to be seen by the unaided eye” (microfossil; microorganism), “dealing with extremely minute organisms, organic structures, or quantities of a substance” (microdissection; microscope), “localized, restricted in scope or area” (microburst; microhabitat), “(of a discipline) focusing on a restricted area” (microeconomics), “containing or dealing with texts that require enlargement to be read” (microfilm; microreader), “one millionth” (microgram).
Also especially before a vowel, micr-.
Origin of micro-
<Greek: combining form representing mīkrós small
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH micro-
macro-, micro-Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use micro in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for micro (1 of 2)
micro
/ (ˈmaɪkrəʊ) /
adjective
very small
noun plural -cros
short for microcomputer, microlepidoptera, microprocessor, microwave oven
British Dictionary definitions for micro (2 of 2)
micro-
micr-
combining form
small or minutemicrospore
involving the use of a microscopemicrography
indicating a method or instrument for dealing with small quantitiesmicrometer
(in pathology) indicating abnormal smallness or underdevelopmentmicrocephaly; microcyte Compare macro- (def. 2)
denoting 10 –6microsecond Symbol: μ
Word Origin for micro-
from Greek mikros small
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for micro
micro-
pref.
Small:microblast.
Abnormally small:microcephaly.
Requiring or involving microscopy:microsurgery.
One-millionth (10-6):microliter.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for micro
micro-
A prefix that means: small (as in microorganism) or one millionth (as in microsecond).
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.