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.
Electronic and functional materials also require detailed information about microscopic structures and material states. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 And because nobody washed the dishes before tossing them into the feasting pit, King and his colleagues (in a 2017 study) could analyze the microscopic residue of ancient drinks that had soaked into the ceramic. — ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 If disturbed, asbestos’ microscopic crystalline fibers get into the air, where they can be inhaled, cause lung scarring and lead to fatal cancers. — Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026 The microscopic amoeba thrives in warm freshwater and can cause a neurological infection when water containing the amoeba rushes through the nose and reaches the brain, according to the state health department. — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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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