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
Their physical features can be shabby to the point of scandal: mad spacing, pagination mixups, microscopic type.
—
Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
The gun and projectile were sent to the state lab in December 2023, the affidavit said, and two months later, microscopic testing of the bullet confirmed that it was fired from the handgun found at Neal’s home.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2025
Seeking a more sustainable alternative, a team at the University of Nottingham looked to biofilm-preventing microscopic patterns that could be added to the surface of existing plastic medical devices.
—New Atlas, 25 June 2025
And no conversation about K-Beauty would be complete without mentioning spicule serums, the innovative Korean formulas infused with microscopic, needle-like structures derived from sea sponges.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for microscopic
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.
Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
The gun and projectile were sent to the state lab in December 2023, the affidavit said, and two months later, microscopic testing of the bullet confirmed that it was fired from the handgun found at Neal’s home.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2025
Seeking a more sustainable alternative, a team at the University of Nottingham looked to biofilm-preventing microscopic patterns that could be added to the surface of existing plastic medical devices.
—New Atlas, 25 June 2025
And no conversation about K-Beauty would be complete without mentioning spicule serums, the innovative Korean formulas infused with microscopic, needle-like structures derived from sea sponges.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 June 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 14 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share