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 of microscopic

• tiny
• minuscule
• miniature

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

The mycelium—the branching network of microscopic filaments that makes up most of a fungus—has been made into leather alternatives, packaging, insulation and even building materials. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 24 July 2026

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite people acquire by eating fresh produce grown or washed with water carrying human waste. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Chiggers are soft bodied and are vulnerable to sharp microscopic material in diatomaceous earth. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 22 July 2026

Many people are avoiding lettuce in the midst of the ongoing outbreak of Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can contaminate fresh produce and cause days—or even weeks—of miserable gastrointestinal illness. — Angela Haupt, Time, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for microscopic

• allotropic
• arthroscopic
• barotropic
• cystoscopic
• endoscopic
• gyroscopic
• hygroscopic
• isentropic
• isotopic
• isotropic
• macroscopic
• misanthropic

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