macro

¹

[ mak-roh ]

adjective

1. very large in scale, scope, or capability.
2. of or relating to macroeconomics.

noun

, plural mac·ros.

1. anything very large in scale, scope, or capability.
2. Photography. a macro lens.
3. Also called macroinstruction. Computers. an instruction that represents a sequence of instructions in abbreviated form.
4. macroeconomics.

macro-

²

1. a combining form meaning “large,” “long,” “great,” “excessive,” used in the formation of compound words, contrasting with micro-: macrocosm; macrofossil; macrograph; macroscopic.

macro

¹

/ ˈmækrəʊ /

noun

1. a macro lens
2. Alsomacro instruction a single computer instruction that initiates a set of instructions to perform a specific task

macro-

²

combining_form

1. large, long, or great in size or duration

   macroscopic

2. (in pathology) indicating abnormal enlargement or overdevelopment Compare micro-

   macrocyte

3. producing larger than life images

   macrophotography

macro–

1. A prefix meaning “large,” as in macromolecule, a large molecule.

Word History and Origins

Origin of macro¹

Independent use of macro-, taken as an adjective, or by shortening of words with macro- as initial element

Origin of macro²

< Greek makro-, combining form of makrós long; cognate with Latin macer lean; meager

Word History and Origins

Origin of macro¹

from Greek makros large; compare Latin macer meagre

Example Sentences

They've also undeniably been a spectacular bummer, on a macro and micro scale.

From Salon

Along with light painting, Mr Gilliver has a large portfolio of macro photography.

From BBC

He is no stranger to the British Photography Awards, having already won the best macro photograph category in 2022 by turning a face mask into a swimming pool for a Covid pandemic image.

From BBC

He says macro photography exercises his imagination but light painting feels more like an experience.

From BBC

This year, his recreation of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's famous "I'm flying" scene from the blockbuster movie Titanic has been shortlisted in the macro category.

From BBC

Related Words

• broad
• extensive
• large
• large-scale

Words That Use macro-

What does macro- mean?

Macro– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “large; long; great; excessive.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology.

Macro– comes from Greek makrós, meaning “long.” The Latin translation of makrós is longus, also meaning “long,” which is the source of terms such as longanimity and longitude. To learn more, check out our entries for both words.

What are variants of macro-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, macro– becomes macr–, as in macrencephaly. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about macr-.

Examples of macro-

A scientific term that features the form macro– is macrocyte, “an abnormally large red blood cell.”

The macro– part of the word macrocyte means “large,” as we have seen. The –cyte part of the word means “cell,” from Greek kýtos. Macrocyte literally translates to “large cell.”

What are some words that use the combining form macro-?

• macroblast
• macrocosm (using the equivalent form of macro– in French)
• macrodactyly
• macroform
• macrolith
• macrophyll
• macrospore

What are some other forms that macro– may be commonly confused with?

• megalo-
• micr-
• micro-

Break it down!

The combining form –phyll means “leaf.” With this in mind, what does macrophyll literally mean?