microscopic

adjective

mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
variants or less commonly microscopical
ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pi-kəl How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
Synonyms of microscopicnext
1
: resembling a microscope especially in perception
2
a
: invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope
b
: very small or fine or precise
3
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
microscopically
ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of microscopic

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Examples of microscopic in a Sentence

At this point, the embryo is a microscopic clump of only 100 cells. There is a microscopic crack in the diamond. He has a microscopic attention span. He recorded every aspect of his trip in microscopic detail. a microscopic study of plant tissues
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Scientists have found evidence that the planet once had water, the right chemical ingredients and nutrients needed to support microscopic life. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 During the process, a bit of friction occurs roughening the surface of the line on a near-microscopic level. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026 Health officials are still racing to nail down the source of the outbreak of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is known to cause frequent — and often explosive — watery diarrhea. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 30 July 2026 The microscopic parasite causes cyclosporiasis, the intestinal illness that has sickened thousands of Americans. — Ava Berger, NPR, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for microscopic

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of microscopic was circa 1672

Rhymes for microscopic

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Browse Nearby Words

microscope
microscopic
microscopically
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Cite this Entry

“Microscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscopic. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

microscopic

adjective
mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
variants also microscopical
-ˈskäp-i-kəl How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
a microscopic examination
2
: resembling a microscope : able to see very tiny objects
some insects have microscopic vision
3
: able to be seen only through a microscope : very small
a microscopic plant
microscopically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

microscopic

adjective
mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
variants or microscopical
-i-kəl How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
2
: so small or fine as to be invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope compare macroscopic, submicroscopic, ultramicroscopic sense 1
microscopically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
adverb

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