WordGarden.iomicro
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈaɪkrəʊ/
US
- /ˈmaɪˌkroʊ/
Meanings
Adjective
very small; miniature
focused on very small-scale details or individual units rather than the whole system
Noun
microeconomics or company- and consumer-level factors as a focus of analysis, especially in finance
Other
a metric prefix meaning one millionth
Beyond the definition
The prefix "micro" means very small. It is used for things that are tiny, hard to see, or happening on a small scale. You might see it in words like "microscope," "microchip," or "microbiology." It can also describe a strong focus on small details, as in "micromanaging." In each case, the idea is the same: something little, fine, or closely focused.
The word "micro" comes from Greek and means "small." In English, it is usually used as a prefix to show that something is extremely small or works on a very small scale. It appears in science, technology, business, and everyday language.
It first became common in scientific words such as microbiology (the study of very small living things) and microscope (a tool for seeing things that are too small for the eye alone). Later, it spread into many other areas. We now talk about microchips, which are tiny parts inside electronic devices, and microloans, which are small loans given to people starting or running small businesses.
Beyond physical size, it can also describe something looked at in a very detailed or narrow way. Microeconomics studies the actions of individuals and businesses rather than the whole economy. To micromanage means to control small details too closely, and this is often seen as a bad habit.
So, whether it describes something tiny, something studied in close detail, or something happening on a small scale, "micro" always carries the idea of smallness.
Examples
- 1
Housing
They rented a micro apartment near the station.
- 2
Small business
The charity offers micro loans to people starting small businesses.
- 3
Detailed analysis
At a micro level, the report looks at what happens inside individual schools.
- Patternat a micro level
in a small, detailed way rather than a broad one
- 4
Overfocused criticism
He gets too micro about every typo in the newsletter.
- Patternget micro about + detail
focus too much on small details
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- microadjective