micro
1 Americanadjective
-
extremely small.
-
minute in scope or capability.
-
of or relating to microcomputers.
-
of or relating to microeconomics.
noun
plural
micros-
anything extremely small in scope or capability.
-
a microcomputer.
combining form
-
small or minute
microspore
-
involving the use of a microscope
micrography
-
indicating a method or instrument for dealing with small quantities
micrometer
-
(in pathology) indicating abnormal smallness or underdevelopment Compare macro-
microcephaly
microcyte
-
μ. denoting 10 –6
microsecond
adjective
noun
Usage
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-.
Etymology
Origin of micro1
Independent use of micro-, or shortening of words with this initial element
Origin of micro-2
< Greek: combining form representing mīkrós small
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And it’s also interestingly true at a micro level.
Still, “it will likely take a macro shock, not just micro concerns about monetizing AI investments, for the Nasdaq-100 to enter a painfully swift correction” of at least 10%, Rabe said.
From MarketWatch
Back in 2023, that prestige was bestowed upon tomatoes, which moved beyond the grocery store aisles to become an aesthetic and a way of life with the so-called “Tomato Girl Summer” micro trend.
From Salon
“A legal victory is meaningless without actual relief for the businesses that paid these tariffs,” the We Pay the Tariffs coalition, which represents over 800 small and micro businesses, said in a statement Friday.
From Barron's
He gave the example of Asia's booming short‑form videos and micro‑dramas that typically run on small budgets - roughly $140,000 for as many as 80 episodes under two minutes each.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
