2 syllables: mi, cro. Stress on mi.
MEYE-kroh
/ˈmaɪˌkɹoʊ/
micro is pronounced MEYE-kroh (/ˈmaɪˌkɹoʊ/). It has two syllables (mi-cro), with the stress on "mi". Micro means very small or at a scale much smaller than what is typical. It is used in science, technology, and everyday language to indicate a tiny size or degree, often as a prefix in terms like microbiology or microliter. The term conveys precision and granularity, and is commonly paired with specialized contexts where exact measurements or subtle distinctions matter.
Micro means very small or at a scale much smaller than what is typical. It is used in science, technology, and everyday language to indicate a tiny size or degree, often as a prefix in terms like microbiology or microliter. The term conveys precision and granularity, and is commonly paired with specialized contexts where exact measurements or subtle distinctions matter.
- You might flatten the second syllable, making it sound like a quick -cro without full vowel integrity. To fix, articulate /kroʊ/ (US) or /krəʊ/ (UK/AU) as a stressed, rounded syllable. - Some speakers reduce the first syllable too much, slipping toward /maɪ/ or /maɪɡroʊ/. Practice the full /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ/ with a crisp onset and the /k/ release into /r/. - Another error is inserting an extra vowel between syllables or lengthening the second syllable inadvertently; keep the break clean between /maɪ/ and /kroʊ/. Practice with slow drills and then speed up while maintaining segment clarity.
"The microSD card stores games and photos on a surprisingly small amount of space."
"In microbiology, researchers study micro-organisms that are invisible to the naked eye."
"The device uses micro-adjustments to achieve precise alignment."
You say MY-kro, with the first syllable stressed. IPA US: /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ/, UK: /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ/, AU: /ˈmaɪ.kɹoʊ/. The second syllable is unstressed but clearly pronounced as -cro, with a rounded back vowel in the final position. Position your tongue high-front for the /aɪ/ diphthong, then glide into a mid-back /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on accent. Avoid aggressive vowel reduction in the second syllable if you want crisp micro- in technical contexts.
Common mistakes include dropping the second syllable's vowel, saying /ˈmaɪkroʊ/ with an overt final vowel, or turning the second syllable into a schwa without fullness. To correct: keep the second syllable as /kroʊ/ (US) or /krəʊ/ (UK/AU), ensure the /aɪ/ in the first syllable is a clear diphthong, and avoid over-nasality on the /ro/ portion. Practice with minimal pairs like micro vs micr-? focus on the middle /k/ + /r/ cluster and the final rounded vowel.
US typically /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ/ with a clear /roʊ/ and non-rhotic at end? Actually US rhotics, but final /oʊ/ is not r-colored; UK often /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ/ with a more centralized second syllable /rəʊ/ and non-rhotic r. Australian blends often /ˈmaɪ.kɹəʊ/ with an approximant /ɹ/ and a reduced second syllable toward /əʊ/. The key differences: rhotics in US, slight schwa in UK/AU for the second syllable, and the length of the diphthong in /roʊ/ or /rəʊ/. Note: The exact realization varies with speaker and surrounding sounds.
Two main challenges: the /ɪ/ vs /aɪ/ in the first syllable requires a precise diphthong transition, and the second syllable cluster /kro/ or /krə/ with a rounded /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. The R-coloring in American English may influence the /roʊ/ vs /rəʊ/; in non-rhotic accents, the r influences the preceding vowel less. For non-native speakers, coarticulation with following sounds in compounds (microchip, microeconomic) often alters vowel quality or reduces consonant clarity. Focus on keeping a clean /k/ followed by an unmistakable /r/ before the vowel.
No. In standard English, micro is pronounced with all letters used: /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ/ (US) or /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ/ (UK/AU). There is no silent letter in the primary pronunciation. Some rapid speech can slight the /k/ or the vowel quality of the second syllable, but the consonant cluster /k/ + /r/ remains audible. In careful speech, ensure the /k/ is released clearly and the /r/ is pronounced before the rounded vowel, particularly in US and AU varieties.
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- US: emphasize rhotics with a more pronounced /ɹ/; keep /maɪ/ as a clear diphthong and finish with a tight /roʊ/. - UK: the second syllable often lands closer to /rəʊ/; avoid over-rolling /ɹ/; let /ə/ be a schwa-like sound before /ʊ/ or /oʊ/. - AU: similar to UK but can feature a more centralized vowel in the second syllable; maintain the non-rhotic feel while ensuring the /ɹ/ is an approximant rather than a trill. Use the IPA guidance: US /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ/, UK /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ/, AU /ˈmaɪ.kɹəʊ/; practice with minimal pairs to reveal vowel quality differences.
Micro- comes from the Greek mikros, meaning small. The prefix was adopted into scientific nomenclature in the 19th century to denote a factor of one millionth or one millionth part in metric measurements, depending on context. In physics and chemistry, micro- often represents 10^-6 (one millionth) as in microgram or micrometer. In biology, the term extends to tiny organisms or structures, as in microbiology, where the focus is on microscopic life. The shift from describing physical size to denoting scale in data and granularity reflects broader scientific and technological advances, particularly in microfabrication and nanotechnology, where precision at the micro level is essential. First known use of micro- as a prefix in English appears in the 1880s in scientific literature, but it gained broader usage through the 20th century with the rise of electronics and micro-scale engineering, where devices and measurements routinely operate at micro scales. Today, micro is a ubiquitous prefix crossing domains from computing and electronics to biology, tailoring language to denote anything minute or requiring high-resolution measurement.
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Words that rhyme with "micro"
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