microscopic

[ mahy-kruh-skop-ik ]

adjective

1. so small as to be invisible or indistinct without the use of the microscope: Compare macroscopic.

   microscopic organisms.

2. very small; tiny.
3. of, relating to, or involving a microscope:

   microscopic investigation.

4. very detailed; meticulous:

   a microscopic view of society.

5. suggestive of the precise use of the microscope; minute:

   microscopic exactness.

microscopic

/ ˌmaɪkrəˈskɒpɪk /

adjective

1. not large enough to be seen with the naked eye but visible under a microscope Compare macroscopic
2. very small; minute
3. of, concerned with, or using a microscope
4. characterized by or done with great attention to detail

Derived Forms

• ˌmicroˈscopically, adverb

Other Words From

• micro·scopi·cal·ly adverb
• nonmi·cro·scopic adjective
• nonmi·cro·scopi·cal adjective
• nonmi·cro·scopi·cal·ly adverb
• unmi·cro·scopic adjective
• unmi·cro·scopi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of microscopic¹

First recorded in 1670–80; microscope + -ic

Example Sentences

Sometimes, as in the entrancing microscopic world of watch repair, it’s just fingertips.

From Los Angeles Times

For instance, a study of the 2016 election found an estimated 30 incidents of ineligible immigrants voting out of 23.5 million votes cast across 42 jurisdictions, a microscopic 0.0001 percent.

From Slate

Southern California beaches have recently experienced a “red tide” bloom of microscopic algae known as dinoflagellate, which give the ocean a rusty brown hue during the day and an electric blue glow when agitated by waves or other movement at night.

From Los Angeles Times

The microscopic algae have an extremely fast response to stimuli — such as breaking waves — and produce their glow 15 milliseconds after stimulation, researchers say.

From Los Angeles Times

The powder was designed to trap the greenhouse gas in its microscopic pores, then release it when it’s ready to be squirreled away someplace where it can’t contribute to global warming.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• atomic
• imperceptible
• infinitesimal
• invisible
• minuscule
• negligible
• teeny