microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik 
variants
or less commonly microscopical
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
Synonyms
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
According to the National Science Foundation, the cells gather and eventually burst, leaving behind microscopic empty spaces in the brain matter that give it a spongy appearance.
—
USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
In 1999, a microscopic fungus called Cryptococcus gattii that typically grows on rotting wood in tropical rainforests suddenly appeared in coastal forests across the Pacific Northwest.
—Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for microscopic 
USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
In 1999, a microscopic fungus called Cryptococcus gattii that typically grows on rotting wood in tropical rainforests suddenly appeared in coastal forests across the Pacific Northwest.
—Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for microscopic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microscopic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near microscopic
Cite this Entry
“Microscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscopic. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik
variants
also microscopical
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
Medical Definition
microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik
variants
or microscopical
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share