microscopic
gb/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk/ us/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk/
B2
English
mikroszkopikus, parányi, elenyésző, aprólékos, tüzetes
B2
1
Usage pattern:
microscopic [organism/particle/crack/cell]
The water sample contained microscopic organisms that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
A vízminta mikroszkopikus szervezeteket tartalmazott, amelyek szabad szemmel nem láthatók.
The lab found microscopic cracks in the metal after the stress test.
A laboratórium a terheléses vizsgálat után mikroszkopikus repedéseket talált a fémben.
Dust can contain microscopic particles that irritate the lungs.
Learner examples
Bacteria are microscopic.
A baktériumok mikroszkopikusak.
You need a microscope to see microscopic cells.
Mikroszkópra van szükséged, hogy lásd a mikroszkopikus sejteket.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for things that are merely small but still easy to see; it usually suggests extremely tiny size or microscope use.
Meaning
too small to see directly
Collocations
microscopic organisms
|microscopic cells
|microscopic particles
|microscopic bacteria
|microscopic algae
|microscopic cracks
|microscopic defects
|microscopic examination
|microscopic images
|microscopic structure
Synonyms
micro (Often used as a prefix or informal shorthand, especially in tech and science.)
|
minute (Emphasizes very small size; less directly tied to microscope use.)
Antonyms
macroscopic (Large enough to be seen without magnification.)
|
visible (Able to be seen directly, without special equipment.)
Themes
science
|biology
|medicine
Definition
So small you need a microscope to see it.
So small that it can only be seen clearly with a microscope.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a microscopic [chance/amount/difference/increase]
There’s a microscopic chance of rain, but I’m taking an umbrella anyway.
Elenyésző az esélye az esőnek, de azért viszek magammal esernyőt.
The price change was microscopic—most people didn’t even notice.
Az árváltozás elenyésző volt – a legtöbben észre sem vették.
He made only a microscopic contribution to the final result.
Learner examples
The difference is microscopic.
A különbség elenyésző.
She has a microscopic chance of winning.
Elenyésző esélye van a győzelemre.
Common mistake:
In this figurative sense, it means 'very tiny'—not literally related to a microscope.
Meaning
extremely small in amount
Collocations
microscopic chance
|microscopic amount
|microscopic difference
|microscopic increase
|microscopic margin
|microscopic level of
|microscopic proportion
|microscopic number
|microscopic risk
|microscopic print
Synonyms
tiny (Common, less formal; not as emphatic.)
|
minuscule (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal.)
|
negligible (Focuses on being too small to matter.)
Antonyms
huge (Extremely large in size or amount.)
|
substantial (Large or important enough to matter.)
Themes
daily_life
|communication
|evaluation
Definition
Extremely small; almost nothing.
Extremely small in size, amount, or degree, often used for emphasis.
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a microscopic [look/view/examination] at [something]
The report takes a microscopic look at how the company spends every dollar.
A jelentés aprólékosan megvizsgálja, hogyan költi el a vállalat minden egyes dollárját.
She gave the contract a microscopic reading before signing.
Aláírás előtt tüzetesen átolvasta a szerződést.
A microscopic focus on minor errors can distract from the main idea.
Learner examples
He took a microscopic look at the data.
Aprólékosan megvizsgálta az adatokat.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with 'careful' in general; 'microscopic' suggests extremely fine-grained detail.
Meaning
very detailed and close
Collocations
microscopic look
|microscopic view
|microscopic examination
|microscopic analysis
|microscopic detail
|microscopic approach
|microscopic focus
|microscopic study
|microscopic scrutiny
|microscopic perspective
Synonyms
close (Less intense; doesn’t necessarily imply fine-grained detail.)
|
detailed (General term for including many details.)
|
fine-grained (Often used in academic or analytical contexts.)
Antonyms
broad (Considering general points rather than small details.)
|
surface (Only looking at obvious features, not details.)
Themes
education
|analysis
|work
Definition
Looking at something very closely and in detail.
Examining something in a very detailed way, focusing on small parts and details.
Grammar
Dictionary form
microscopic
IPA
GB/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk/
US/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk/
Syllables & stress
mi - cro - scop - ic (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (scop)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: microscopic
Word family
Core family
microscope
noun B1
microscopically
adverb
Related words
microscopy
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
macroscopic
adjective
Advanced or less common
microscopist
noun
Expressions
microscopic analysis
1/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk ænˈælɪsɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
analysis using a microscope
Studying something with a microscope to learn about it.
Examples
- Microscopic analysis showed that the fibers were synthetic.
- The researchers used microscopic analysis to compare the two paint samples.
- Microscopic analysis can reveal damage that isn’t visible to the naked eye.
Learner examples
- They did microscopic analysis of the sample.
microscopic detail
1/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk dˈiteɪl/
fixed phrase
extremely fine detail
In extremely small and exact detail.
Examples
- The documentary explains the process in microscopic detail.
- He described the accident in microscopic detail, down to the exact time on the clock.
- The manual goes into microscopic detail about every setting.
Learner examples
- She explained it in microscopic detail.
microscopic examination
1/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk ɪɡzˌæmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
checking something with a microscope
A test where you look at a sample with a microscope.
Examples
- Microscopic examination of the tissue confirmed the diagnosis.
- The lab report includes a microscopic examination of the water sample.
- After a microscopic examination, the technician identified the parasite.
Learner examples
- The doctor ordered a microscopic examination.
microscopic level
1/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk lˈɛvəl/
fixed phrase
scale of cells and particles
At a very small scale, like cells or tiny particles.
Examples
- At the microscopic level, the material has a complex structure.
- The drug works by blocking a process at the microscopic level.
- Small changes at the microscopic level can affect the strength of the whole object.
Learner examples
- Cells are studied at the microscopic level.
microscopic scale
1/mˌaɪkɹoʊskˈɑpɪk skˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
very small measurement scale
On a very, very small scale.
Examples
- The pattern repeats on a microscopic scale throughout the surface.
- Engineers can now build devices on a microscopic scale.
- Damage that begins on a microscopic scale can grow into a visible crack.
Learner examples
- The device works on a microscopic scale.