oligo-

a combining form meaning “few,” “little,” used in the formation of compound words: oligopoly.

Nearby words

oligaemia, oligarch, oligarchic, oligarchy, oligemia, oligo-, oligoamnios, oligocene, oligochaete, oligoclase, oligocystic

Also especially before a vowel, olig-.

Origin of oligo-

< Greek, combining form of olígos little, few (in plural)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for oligo-

oligo-

before a vowel olig-

combining form

indicating a few or littleoligopoly

Word Origin for oligo-

from Greek olígos little, few

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

Medicine definitions for oligo-

oligo-

pref.

Few:oligosaccharide.