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 mi·cros.

1. anything extremely small in scope or capability.
2. a microcomputer.
3. microeconomics.

micro-

²

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

   microcephaly

   microcyte

5. denoting 10 ^–6 μ

   microsecond

micro

²

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊ /

adjective

1. very small

noun

1. See microwave oven, microprocessor, microlepidoptera, microcomputer
   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 micro¹

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

Origin of micro²

< Greek: combining form representing mīkrós small

Word History and Origins

Origin of micro¹

from Greek mikros small

Example Sentences

This sense of vulnerability is, of course, even more acute in micro-states like Jamaica.

From The Daily Beast

But as in the U.S. it also reflects the move from industrial-scale brewing to micro-brewings.

From The Daily Beast

There is certainly a lucrative yet dignified sweet spot between small time micro-brewer and soulless mass-producer.

From The Daily Beast

Even in the smallest of Indian locales, the divisions of geography and nationalism are played out on a micro scale.

From The Daily Beast

MacGregor convinced many to invest in, and hundreds to even move to, his fictional micro-nation.

From The Daily Beast

It is probably caused by two micro-organisms living in symbiosis—one a fusiform bacillus, the other a long spirillum (Fig. 124).

From Project Gutenberg

Upon ulcerated surfaces it is often mingled with other spiral micro-organisms, which adds to the difficulty of its detection.

From Project Gutenberg

He watched as Arnold conferred with a group of his techs about a micro-chron, and the time was carefully noted for Central Record.

From Project Gutenberg

Albert selected all the incriminating letters and documents he could find and packed the micro-files in his jacket.

From Project Gutenberg

Pathological micro-organisms have very complicated products which are in large part poisonous.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compact
• mini
• pocket
• pocket-size
• portable
• scaled-down
• small

Words That Use micro-

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-.

Examples of micro-

A term from medicine that features micro- to mean “small” is microdactyly, “abnormal smallness or shortness of the fingers or toes.”

The form micro- means “small,” as we have already seen. The -dactyly part of the word means “the state of possessing fingers (or toes).” Microdactyly literally translates to “the state of possessing small fingers (or toes).”

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

• microbar
• microbus
• microdot
• microjet
• microphone
• microphyll
• microsleep

What are some other forms that micro- may be commonly confused with?

• macr-
• macro-

Break it down!

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