Prefix · large scale / broad
Signals large scale or breadth: macroeconomics, macroscopic, macronutrient.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Macro- comes from Greek "makros" (long, large) and is the direct antonym of micro-. macroeconomics = the study of the economy at a large scale (GDP, inflation, national unemployment); macroscopic = visible to the naked eye, without a microscope; macroevolution = evolution at the level of species or above.
In modern use, macro- appears in computing (a macro = an instruction that executes a series of commands automatically) and in photography (a macro lens = a lens that allows close-up photography of small subjects). In photography, "macro" refers to the reproduction ratio on the sensor, not to the size of the subject being photographed.
Attaches to scientific nouns and adjectives. Identical in Spanish and English:
Pronunciation: /ˈmækrəʊ/, with a short "a" as in "cat." Used alone as a noun in computing: "a macro" = an automated set of instructions.
macro-/ˈmækrəʊ/
Tap the button to hear how the prefix sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
"Macroeconomics" studies national or global economy (GDP, inflation, monetary policy). "Microeconomics" studies individual decision-making, firm behaviour, and specific market dynamics.
In photography, "macro" indicates a high reproduction ratio (the image on the sensor equals or exceeds the real-world size of the subject). A macro lens is used for insects, flowers, and other small subjects.
A trick to remember it
Macro- = "large scale" and is the opposite of micro-: macroeconomics vs microeconomics, macroscopic vs microscopic. If micro- studies the smallest parts, macro- studies the whole system or the broadest pattern.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
What is the difference between "macroeconomics" and "microeconomics"?
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
"Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are all ___ that the body needs in relatively large quantities."
The prefix macro- signals large scale or breadth: macroeconomics, macroscopic, macronutrient. In Spanish it usually maps to macro-.
The prefix macro- is pronounced /ˈmækrəʊ/. For example, "macroeconomics".
"economics" becomes "macroeconomics". It is a typical example of the macro- prefix.
un-, re-, pre-, dis-, over-, in-... every beginning you need to unlock thousands of English words at once.