microscopic

adjective

mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik 

variants or less commonly microscopical

ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pi-kəl 

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 

adverb

Synonyms

• atomic
• bitsy
• bitty
• infinitesimal
• itty-bitty
• itsy-bitsy
• little bitty
• microminiature
• miniature
• minuscule
• minute
• teensy
• teensy-weensy
• teeny
• teeny-weeny
• tiny
• wee
• weeny
• weensy

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

Now, for the first time, researchers have watched the opening choreography of this microscopic dance by inducing endosymbiosis in the lab. —Molly Herring, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2025

Finally, nature’s hidden secrets are shown in the microscopic world of the Close-up Photographer of the Year competition: see the winning images here. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

Looking at ice cores dating back to 1831, the scientists used new chemical analysis techniques to find the 'fingerprints' to match the microscopic ash particles one-tenth the diameter of a human hair spewed into the air. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2025

At these levels, this microscopic pollution becomes hazardous. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

microscopic

adjective

mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik 

variants also microscopical

-ˈskäp-i-kəl 

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 

adverb

Medical Definition

microscopic

adjective

mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik 

variants or microscopical

-i-kəl 

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 

adverb