Difference Between Micro and Macro

Main Difference – Micro vs Macro

Micro and macro are two common prefixes that have opposite meanings. The difference in words like microeconomics, macroeconomics, micro-evolution, macro-evolution, micro-nutrients, macro-nutrients, etc. mainly result from the prefixes. If you know the meaning of these two prefixes, it is easy to identify the meanings of these words. The main difference between micro and macro is that micro indicates entities that are smaller than average whereas macro indicates entities which are larger than average.

Micro – Meaning and Usage

The term micro has several grammatical functions in the English language. It functions as a prefix in certain words such as micro-organisms, microprocessor, microeconomics, micronutrients, etc. Micro is derived from the Greek prefix mikro meaning small. Therefore, a word that has the prefix micro in front of it is usually referring to something relatively small. This is the opposite of prefixes macro or mega, which are used to denote entities that are larger than average. For example,

Microorganism is an organism that is too small to be seen by the naked eye.

Microeconomics is a part of economics concerned with single factors and the effects of individual decisions

Micronutrients refer to chemical elements or substances required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms.

Microscope is an optical instrument used for observing small objects.

Micro can also be used as an adjective. As an adjective, micro means extremely small. It can also refer to small scale.

Microscope

Macro – Meaning and Usage

The term macro also has several grammatical functions in the English language. It can function as a prefix in certain words such as macro-organisms, macroeconomics, macronutrients, etc. Macro is derived from the Greek prefix macros meaning large. Therefore, a word that has the prefix macro in front of it is usually referring to something larger than average. Macro is the opposite of micro. For example,

Macro-organism is an organism that is can be seen by the naked eye.

Macroeconomics deals with the performance, structure, behavior, and decision-making of an economy as a whole rather than individual markets.

Macronutrients refer to chemical elements or substances required in large amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms.

Macro-photography refers to photography producing photographs of small items larger than life size.

Macro can also be used as an adjective to refer to large or large-scale.