micro

¹

[mahy-kroh]

adjective

1. extremely small.

2. minute in scope or capability.

3. of or relating to microcomputers.

4. of or relating to microeconomics.

noun

plural

micros 

1. anything extremely small in scope or capability.

2. a microcomputer.

3. microeconomics.

micro-

²

especially before a vowel, micr-.

1. 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 ).

micro-

¹

combining form

1. small or minute

   microspore

2. involving the use of a microscope

   micrography

3. indicating a method or instrument for dealing with small quantities

   micrometer

4. (in pathology) indicating abnormal smallness or underdevelopment Compare macro-

   microcephaly

   microcyte

5. μ. denoting 10 ^–6

   microsecond

micro

²

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊ /

adjective

1. very small

noun

1. short for microcomputer microlepidoptera microprocessor microwave oven

micro–

1. A prefix that means: “small” (as in microorganism) or “one millionth” (as in microsecond).

Word History and Origins

Origin of micro–¹

Independent use of micro-, or shortening of words with this initial element

Origin of micro–²

< Greek: combining form representing mīkrós small

Word History and Origins

Origin of micro–¹

from Greek mikros small

Example Sentences

Other plans include multinational firms such as Last Energy and DP World working together on a micro modular reactor at London Gateway port.

From BBC

This year’s schedule includes a series of events and activities from Nov. 28 through Jan. 4 — roaming carolers, European-style night markets, candlelight tours and shops transformed into micro winter wonderlands.

From Los Angeles Times

“On a micro level, we’re seeing that, boy, it doesn’t matter if you extend past the season or extend out before the season — people are coming. People want it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Many new releases - especially live service games like the hugely-popular Fortnite - have micro transactions or downloadable content, making it possible for a player to ultimately spend hundreds of pounds on a single title.

From BBC

As an attempt to actually show both the necessity and difficulty of recovery, in a micro- and meta- sense, “The Bear” is an experiment that defies comparison.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compact 
• mini 
• pocket 
• pocket-size 
• portable 
• scaled-down www.thesaurus.com
• small 

When To Use

What does micro- mean?

Micro- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “small.” In units of measurement, micro- means "one millionth." The form micro- is often used in a variety of scientific and technical terms.Micro- comes from Greek mīkrós, meaning “small.” The Latin equivalent of mīkrós is parvus, also meaning “small,” which is the source of terms such as parvovirus, a type of virus with a name that literally means “small poison.” To learn more, check out our entry for parvovirus.What are variants of micro-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, micro- becomes micr-, as in micrify, which comes from the Latin equivalent of the form. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about micr-.