Macro vs. Micro – How to Use Each Correctly

qesnewyork

Macro vs. Micro – What’s the Gist?

These two words macro and micro are antonyms, meaning they are the opposite of each other.

  • Macro means on a large scale.
  • Micro means on a very small scale.

Antonyms may deal with similar topics, but they originate from counterpart places on the measuring line, i.e., they are opposite.

macro versus micro

How to Use Macro in a Sentence

Macro definition: As mentioned, the word macro means large, or more precisely, something that is large-scale.

The interesting thing about the word macro is that is it a combining form. In other words, it is often combined with another one to form a more precise word. For example: macro + economics = macroeconomics.

For example:

  • The women attended college to study macro-biology. (Noun)
  • As he looked toward the night skies, the scientist pondered the macrocosm. (Noun)

The word macro also functions as an adjective, meaning large, thick or exceptionally prominent.

For example:

  • The professional photographer used a macro lens to capture close-up images. (Adjective)

When combining the term macro to another compound, often, there is an opposite corresponding compound, using the word micro.

How to Use Micro in a Sentence

Micro definition: Micro acts as an adjective and refers to something that is very small; or involving minute quantities or variations.

Just like its counterpart, micro is also a combining form. That means the word is combined with others word to form a more specific term. For example: micro + managed = micromanaged.

For example:

  • Through a microscope, the microbiologist studied microscopic life forms. (Nouns & Adjective)
  • The controlling employer micromanaged his employees to their deep frustration. (Past Tense Verb)

The word micro comes from the Greek word mikros, which means small.

Outside Examples of Macro vs. Micro

  • They deepen my empathy for individuals without requiring me to think about the macro, which can be paralyzing. –The New York Times
  • You’ll learn the importance of keeping track of your macronutrients or “macros” (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), as well as food pairing and moderation. –Chicago Tribune
  • That machine wasn’t an option because it scatters micro-droplets and could spread the coronavirus. –Los Angeles Times
  • The D.C. government led the relief effort with a $25 million micro-grant program that allows freelance artists to apply, and the $2.2 trillion federal stimulus includes changes to unemployment benefits that will help performing artists who are seeing future work disappear. –Houston Chronicle

Phrases That Use Macro and Micro

Because these two words are combining forms, there are a plethora of phrases that use either macro or micro in them, including:

Macro evolution: The idea that one species evolves into an entirely different species over a long period of time.

  • Saying humans originated directly from apes is a macro evolutionary position.

Macro level: A large-scale process or scope.

  • The president of the United States is focused on the virus in a macro level way.

Microchip: A tiny piece of material, which is composed of electronic components that are used to make a cohesive circuit.

  • After purchasing her new dog, the owner had a microchip implanted.

Microprocessor: The processing part of a computer.

  • He was hoping that a failing microprocessor wasn’t the issue with his computer.

How to Remember These Words

Once you understand that these two words are opposites, choosing the correct one should be rather straight forward.

To help you remember, try to make this connection. The letter a in macro is also found in massive. Macro and massive are synonyms; they have similar meanings, and both use the letter a.

With micro, use the word tiny. The letter i is found in both micro and tiny. These two words are also synonyms, meaning they have related definitions, and both use the letter i.

Quiz: Macro or Micro?

  1. She was interested in the individual matters that pertain to _______ economics.
  2. After talking for hours with IT support, the employee discovered that he had a _______ virus on his computer.
  3. The millennial hipster wanted to find a _______ brewery to experience the local culture.
  4. The professional photographer took _______ photography to a whole new level.

Article Summary

Is macro or micro correct? Since macro and micro are related by the idea of size, it may be easy to confuse them. Just keep in mind that macro is large, and micro is miniscule, which should make selecting the right word easier.

  • Macro is a combining form that means large scale.
  • Micro is a combining form that means small scale.

Quiz Answers

  1. Micro
  2. Macro
  3. Micro
  4. Macro