submicroscopic

adjective

sub·​mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌsəb-ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik 

1

: too small to be seen in an ordinary light microscope

2

: of, relating to, or dealing with the very minute

the submicroscopic world

submicroscopically

ˌsəb-ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of submicroscopic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Clues from string theory, black hole physics and other places have led to a widespread belief that space-time should unravel into stranger stuff at some submicroscopic scale. — Quanta Magazine, 17 Nov. 2025

Within that backdrop, the quantum foam is doing its usual thing, which is to shake up space-time at submicroscopic scales. — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2025

The find may reshape scientists' understanding of how these submicroscopic infectious agents drive ecological processes in the planet's oceans. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2022

Engineers and scientists are using the same technology perfected over decades to make microchips to create a variety of other miniature marvels, from submicroscopic machines to new kinds of lenses. — Christopher Mims, WSJ, 22 Jan. 2022

The specter of contagion and death from a submicroscopic menace had the whole world living in fear, with particular concern for the most vulnerable among us. — John Gurda, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2021

Here too, the structure suggested the function, with the molecule imbibing and expelling oxygen atoms almost like a submicroscopic lung. — George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2013

To understand how our tiny power sources work, first consider the carbon nanotube, a hollow, submicroscopic tube made of a chicken-wire-like lattice of carbon atoms. — IEEE Spectrum, 28 Nov. 2011

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for submicroscopic

• anisotropic
• azeotropic
• gonadotropic
• heterotopic
• kaleidoscopic
• ophthalmoscopic
• stereoscopic
• adrenocorticotropic
• allotropic
• arthroscopic
• barotropic
• cystoscopic

Medical Definition

submicroscopic

adjective

sub·​mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌsəb-ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik 

: too small to be seen in an ordinary light microscope

submicroscopic particles

submicroscopic organization of a bacterium

compare macroscopic, microscopic sense 2, ultramicroscopic sense 1

submicroscopically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb