What is the difference between a microscope and a magnifying glass?

A magnifying glass enlarges objects a little. A microscope gives much stronger enlargement for very small things.

Is microscope used in science only?

It is common in science, medicine, and school labs. People also use it in research and quality testing.

How do I use microscope in a sentence?

You can say, "The students examined the sample under a microscope."

← Dictionary

microscope

/ˈmaɪ.krə.skəʊp/

IELTSAcademic

noun

A microscope is a tool used to make very small objects look much bigger. Scientists, students, and doctors use it to see cells, germs, and tiny details.

We looked at the leaf under a microscope.
The doctor used a microscope to study the sample.
Tiny cells are easier to see with a microscope.

Adinary Nuance

A microscope is the instrument itself, not the thing you study. People sometimes mix it up with "magnifying glass," but a microscope gives much stronger enlargement and is used for tiny details. It is also different from "telescope," which is used for faraway objects, not small ones.

In other languages

Vietnamese: kính hiển vi
Spanish: microscopio
Chinese: 显微镜
Japanese: 顕微鏡
Korean: 현미경

Etymology

The word comes from Greek: mikro- meaning "small" and skopein meaning "to look." It entered English in the 1600s, when early scientific microscopes were developed.

Common phrases

under a microscopeelectron microscopecompound microscopeview through a microscope

Synonyms

magnifier lens

Related words

magnification telescope slide specimen

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a microscope and a magnifying glass?: A magnifying glass enlarges objects a little. A microscope gives much stronger enlargement for very small things.
Is microscope used in science only?: It is common in science, medicine, and school labs. People also use it in research and quality testing.
How do I use microscope in a sentence?: You can say, "The students examined the sample under a microscope."