macro
macro — noun
1. A short user-defined routine inside a software program that, when triggered, aut
A short user-defined routine inside a software program that, when triggered, automatically carries out a longer series of pre-recorded actions the user would otherwise have to perform step by step.
Diego created a macro that types out his full email signature with a single keystroke.
macro + that-clause for what the macro does
Rather than formatting each table by hand, Jenna wrote a macro to style all of them at once.
write a macro to + infinitive purpose
The IT team set up a macro that backs up key files to a cloud drive overnight.
Leo shared his image-resizing macro with the design team so everyone could use it.
Aylin recorded a macro in her spreadsheet program to sort and colour-code the sales data automatically.
record a macro in [program]
- record a macro
- run a macro
- create a macro
- assign a macro to a key
- macro button
- macro virus
- script
A broader term; a script is usually a text file with code, while a macro is often recorded by the user's actions.
- shortcut
Can refer to any quick way of doing something; a macro is a specific kind of shortcut that runs a sequence of commands.
- automation routine
More formal and technical; describes the underlying process rather than the recorded command.
Grammar Patterns
create/run/write + a macro
macro + that-clause
macro for + noun/gerund
Usage Note
Frequently used in spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel), word processors, and programming editors. A macro is usually activated by a keyboard shortcut or a toolbar button.
Common Mistakes
macro — adjective
1. Very large in size, thickness, or degree; existing or happening on a notably big
Very large in size, thickness, or degree; existing or happening on a notably big scale.
The company announced a macro expansion plan reaching twelve new countries over two years.
macro + [noun] for big-scale plans
Eri examined macro changes in global temperature patterns over the last century.
The geologist described the region's macro features, such as mountain ranges and plate boundaries.
Art historians often study both the macro structure of a painting and its tiny details.
macro structure of + noun
- macro level
- macro scale
- macro structure
- macro view
- macro features
- large-scale
More common in everyday use; refers to something extensive in scope.
- broad
Emphasises wide coverage rather than physical size.
- global
Specifically worldwide, whereas 'macro' can apply to any large system, not necessarily the planet.
- micro
The direct opposite; refers to very small size or detail.
- small-scale
Less technical alternative to 'micro'.
Grammar Patterns
macro + noun
Usage Note
In everyday conversation, 'huge', 'massive', or 'large-scale' are more common. 'Macro' as a standalone adjective is mostly found in academic, technical, or formal writing.
Common Mistakes
2. Involving, designed for, or dealing with very large amounts or volumes of someth
Involving, designed for, or dealing with very large amounts or volumes of something.
The warehouse stocks macro quantities of rice and cooking oil for distribution to local shops.
macro quantities of + noun
Tuan's job involves negotiating macro purchases of medical supplies for a chain of hospitals.
The factory uses macro batches of chemicals to keep production costs low.
The school ordered macro quantities of art supplies to last the entire academic year.
- macro quantities
- macro purchase
- macro batch
- macro order
- bulk
The standard word for large quantities in commercial contexts.
- large-volume
Emphasises the physical volume of goods.
- small-scale
Refers to small quantities or limited production.
Grammar Patterns
macro + noun
Usage Note
This sense is quite rare in everyday English. 'Bulk' or 'large-volume' are preferred alternatives in most business contexts.
3. Relating to the branch of economics that studies the economy of a whole country,
Relating to the branch of economics that studies the economy of a whole country, region, or the world — including big-picture factors such as inflation, unemployment, and national income — rather than individual businesses or households.
Élise is taking a course in macro economic theory to understand how interest rates affect employment.
macro economic + noun
Christopher prefers macro analysis of national economies over studying single companies.
macro analysis of + noun
The finance minister presented the latest macro data on the country's GDP growth and inflation rate.
Macro trends such as rising interest rates can affect housing prices across an entire region.
- macro analysis
- macro data
- macro policy
- macro trends
- macro environment
- macro outlook
- aggregate
More technical; refers to the total sum of economic activity.
- economy-wide
A descriptive alternative that avoids jargon.
- microeconomic
The opposite branch, dealing with individual firms and consumers.
Grammar Patterns
macro + noun
Usage Note
Almost always modifies nouns related to economics: 'policy', 'analysis', 'data', 'trends', 'environment', 'outlook'. Do not confuse with 'microeconomic', which studies individual markets.
Common Mistakes
4. Designed for or used in taking photographs of very small subjects from an extrem
Designed for or used in taking photographs of very small subjects from an extremely close distance, making them appear life-size or larger in the final image.
Talia bought a new macro lens to photograph tiny insects and flower petals in her garden.
macro lens for photographing small subjects
Saira switched her camera to macro mode to capture the fine veins in a single leaf.
macro mode on a camera
Christopher entered a macro photography competition with close-ups of dewdrops on spiderwebs.
The magazine article featured stunning macro shots of butterfly wings and grains of sand.
- macro lens
- macro mode
- macro photography
- macro shot
- macro setting
- macro ring flash
- close-up
Broader term; any photograph taken from short distance, not necessarily at macro magnification.
Grammar Patterns
macro + noun
Usage Note
Typically used before 'lens', 'photography', 'mode', 'shot', or 'setting'. A macro lens can focus much closer than a standard lens, producing a 1:1 or larger image of the subject.
Common Mistakes
macro — prefix
1. Attaches to existing English nouns and adjectives to form derived terms about an
Attaches to existing English nouns and adjectives to form derived terms about an entire system, field, or economy — focusing on the abstract, big-picture view of a whole domain rather than its individual parts. Most common in academic, business, and technical language.
Macroeconomics looks at the overall performance of a country's economy rather than individual markets.
macro- + economics: whole economy
In biology class, Jisoo learned about macroscopic structures such as organs and organ systems.
macro- + scopic: visible to the naked eye
The report offers a macro-level overview of global trade patterns over the past decade.
Senior managers focus on macro strategy while team leaders handle the daily operations.
- macro-level
- macro-scale
- macro-strategy
- macro-management
- macro-structure
- large-scale
A phrase that can replace many 'macro-' compounds in everyday language.
- overall
Emphasises the complete picture rather than parts.
- broad
Focuses on wide-ranging scope.
- micro-
The direct opposite prefix, meaning 'small' or 'detailed'.
Grammar Patterns
macro- + noun (macroeconomics)
macro- + adjective (macroscopic)
Usage Note
The hyphen is often dropped when the base word begins with a consonant (macroeconomics, macrolevel) but may be kept with vowels (macro-economic). Distinguish from the combining form 'macro-': the prefix expresses **abstract, systemic scale** (macroeconomics, macropolicy, macro-level analysis), whereas the combining form refers to **physically large or tangible structures** (macrofossil, macrofeature). Both contrast with 'micro-', meaning 'small' or 'detailed'.
Common Mistakes
macro — combining form
1. Forms compound words (many of them established scientific or technical terms) th
Forms compound words (many of them established scientific or technical terms) that refer to physically large objects, structures, or measurable phenomena — emphasising concrete, tangible scale in fields such as geology, biology, environmental science, and engineering.
Zuri's research focuses on macro-scale shifts in ocean currents caused by climate change.
macro-scale + noun for large phenomena
The architect presented a macro-level design for the entire neighbourhood rather than single buildings.
Macroevolution studies patterns of change across species over long periods of geological time.
macroevolution: large-scale evolutionary change
Saira's thesis examines macro-scale trends in urban population growth across Southeast Asia.
- macro-scale
- macro-level
- macroevolution
- macrostructure
- macro-system
- mega-
A prefix with a similar meaning, often used informally ('mega-project') or in measurement units ('megawatt').
- large-scale
A non-technical phrase that can substitute for many 'macro-' compounds.
- micro-
The opposite combining form, meaning very small or detailed.
Grammar Patterns
macro- + noun
macro- + adjective
Usage Note
Distinguish from the prefix 'macro-': the combining form refers to **physically large or tangible things** (macrofossil, macrofeature, macrostructure), whereas the prefix expresses **abstract, systemic scale** (macroeconomics, macropolicy, macrolevel analysis). The combining form typically appears in well-established scientific compounds, while the prefix is more productive — it can attach to newer or ad-hoc nouns. A hyphen is often used in less established compounds (macro-feature, macro-scale).
Word family
- macroeconomicsnounB2
- macroeconomicadjectiveB2
- macroscopicadjectiveC1
- macrostructurenounC1
- microadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All three words refer to ways of making computer tasks faster, but they differ in scope and technicality. A 'macro' is a recorded set of user actions that can be replayed with one trigger — it is typically created by the user in spreadsheet or word-processing software. A 'script' is a text file containing code written in a programming or scripting language; it is more flexible than a macro and can include logic, loops, and conditional statements. A 'shortcut' is the broadest term — it can refer to a keyboard combination (Ctrl+C), a desktop icon, or any method that reduces steps. In everyday work, you might say: 'I wrote a script to clean up the data, assigned it to a macro button, and now I use the keyboard shortcut to run it.'
Common collocations
Phrases
- at the macro level
- on a macro scale
- from a macro perspective
Etymology
The word 'macro' comes from the Greek adjective 'makros', meaning 'long' or 'large'. It entered English through Latin and French scientific vocabulary in the 1800s, first appearing as a combining form in words like 'macroscopic' (visible without a microscope) and later as a standalone adjective and noun in computing. The opposite prefix 'micro-' comes from the Greek 'mikros', meaning 'small'.