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Micro- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “small.” In units of measurement, micro- means “one millionth.” The form micro- is often used in a variety of scientific and technical terms.

Micro- comes from Greek ��ī���ó��, meaning “small.” The Latin equivalent of ��ī���ó�� is parvus, also meaning “small,” which is the source of terms such as parvovirus, a type of virus with a name that literally means “small poison.” To learn more, check out our entry for parvovirus.

What are variants of micro-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, micro- becomes micr-, as in micrify, which comes from the Latin equivalent of the form. Want to know more? Read our �������t¶��s That Use article about micr-.

A term from medicine that features micro- to mean “small” is microdactyly, “abnormal smallness or shortness of the fingers or toes.”

The form micro- means “small,” as we have already seen. The -dactyly part of the word means “the state of possessing fingers (or toes).” Microdactyly literally translates to “the state of possessing small fingers (or toes).”

What are some words that use the combining form micro-?

• microbar
• microbus
• microdot
• microjet
• microphone
• microphyll
• microsleep

What are some other forms that micro- may be commonly confused with?

• macr-
• macro-

The combining form -phyll means “leaf.” With this in mind, what does microphyll literally mean?