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View synonyms for

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

micros 
  1. anything extremely small in scope or capability.

  2. a microcomputer.

  3. microeconomics.

micro-

2
especially before a vowel, micr-.
  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-

    microcephaly

    microcyte

  5. μ.denoting 10 –6

    microsecond

“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

micro

2

/ ˈɪəʊ /

adjective

  1. very small

“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

noun

  1. short for microcomputer microlepidoptera microprocessor microwave oven

“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

  1. A prefix that means: “small” (as in microorganism) or “one millionth” (as in microsecond).

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Word History and Origins

Origin of 1

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

Origin of 2

< Greek: combining form representing īó small
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Word History and Origins

Origin of 1

from Greek mikros small
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In the case of the mini totes, several micro economies have stemmed from the humble product.

From

"Here, the small is mighty. Believe me, it is enough to keep us busy for years to come because we specialise in working on the micro," he adds.

From

“You’re seeing it on a micro scale whenever someone posts online that they found a cheaper place to get eggs,” Miserandino said.

From

“I wish I didn’t have to do this … but this feels more important,” the fast-talking Pearlman replied when I asked him why he’s now focusing on the micro instead of the macro.

From

With her plans for 2025 now well under way, she said she was hoping for more "micro adventures to big adventures, just anything I've never tried".

From

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When To Use

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 īó, meaning “small.” The Latin equivalent of īó 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. 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-.

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