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
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
Giardia is a genus of microscopic parasites that frequently cause outbreaks of diarrhea to this day.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025
Rather than sitting in a derm’s chair for a microneedling appointment, here, spicules (think of them as dissolvable, microscopic micro-needles) deliver deeper penetration of active ingredients.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
It's been known for some time that our gut microbiome – the collection of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic critters living in our intestines – can influence weight gain or loss.
—New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2025
The study finds that both tissues communicate through microscopic biological packages that carry genetic material, metabolites, and signaling molecules.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microscopic
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025
Rather than sitting in a derm’s chair for a microneedling appointment, here, spicules (think of them as dissolvable, microscopic micro-needles) deliver deeper penetration of active ingredients.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
It's been known for some time that our gut microbiome – the collection of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic critters living in our intestines – can influence weight gain or loss.
—New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2025
The study finds that both tissues communicate through microscopic biological packages that carry genetic material, metabolites, and signaling molecules.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microscopic
Cite this Entry
“Microscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscopic. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.
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
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