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

   microcyte

   microcephaly

5. denoting 10 ^–6 μ

   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 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

But jet engines shouldn’t be possible, says Ben Beake, director of materials research at Micro Materials, an equipment testing company in Wales.

From BBC

Besides exposing coatings to high temperatures, Micro Materials also has a “woodpecker” device, a tiny diamond stylus, which repeatedly taps a coating at random locations to test its durability.

From BBC

Süel and his colleagues focused on physiological mechanisms related to ribosomes, the micro machines within cells that play a key role in synthesizing proteins and translating genetic codes.

From Science Daily

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

From Salon

Additionally, it accommodates electric micro transit and regional park-and-ride shuttles — a free service provided by the Intuit Dome from five designated locations.

From Los Angeles Times

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?