micro
part of speech
adjective (micro); noun (a micro, micros); prefix (micro-)
meaning for a pupil
1) Micro means very small: «a micro farm», «micro plastics». tree →
2) As a prefix, micro- makes words about tiny things: microscope, microchip, microphone, microwave. tree →
3) (science) In measurement, micro- means one millionth, as in micrometre or microgram. tree →
4) (informal) A micro is a short name for a small computer, a microwave oven, or the BBC micro:bit used in schools. tree →
sense in the lessons
In science lessons micro- names tiny things (micro-organisms); in computing, children program the micro:bit. In everyday talk «micro» means tiny. Phrases: «micro:bit», «micro scooter», «micro-organism».
examples
- We programmed the micro:bit to show a heart. tree →
- A microscope helps you see micro-organisms. tree →
- My little brother has a micro scooter. tree →
- Micro means very small. tree →
- Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic in the sea. tree →
- A micrometre is one millionth of a metre. tree →
- (informal) Put the soup in the micro for two minutes. tree →
- The micro-chip in the dog's neck has its owner's details. tree →
note
As a prefix it often joins the word: microscope, microphone. In maths and science micro means one millionth: 1 micrometre is 0.000001 m. The opposite size prefix is «macro» (large) or «mega» (a million).
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «micro» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.