[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/micro/)

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# micro

adjective (micro); noun (a micro, micros); prefix (micro-)

«micro» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Micro means very small: «a micro farm», «micro plastics». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#m1)
2. As a prefix, micro- makes words about tiny things: microscope, microchip, microphone, microwave. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#m2)
3. (science) In measurement, micro- means one millionth, as in micrometre or microgram. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#m3)
4. (informal) A micro is a short name for a small computer, a microwave oven, or the BBC micro:bit used in schools. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science lessons micro- names tiny things (micro-organisms); in computing, children program the micro:bit. In everyday talk «micro» means tiny. Phrases: «micro:bit», «micro scooter», «micro-organism».

### Examples

- We programmed the micro:bit to show a heart. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#x1)
- A microscope helps you see micro-organisms. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#x2)
- My little brother has a micro scooter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#x3)
- Micro means very small. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#x4)
- Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic in the sea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#x5)
- A micrometre is one millionth of a metre. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#x6)
- (informal) Put the soup in the micro for two minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#x7)
- The micro-chip in the dog's neck has its owner's details. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/#x8)

### Note

As a prefix it often joins the word: microscope, microphone. In maths and science micro means one millionth: 1 micrometre is 0.000001 m. The opposite size prefix is «macro» (large) or «mega» (a million).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «micro» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/micro/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«micro» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/micro.html) on Mova free.