macros
5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for macros, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun (plural) — The three types of nutrient that food supplies in large amounts and that provide energy: protein, carbohydrate and fat. People who count macros track how many grams of each they eat.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun (plural) nutrition, informal
The three types of nutrient that food supplies in large amounts and that provide energy: protein, carbohydrate and fat. People who count macros track how many grams of each they eat.
“He weighs his lunch so he can log his macros accurately.”
Opposites
2. noun (plural) computing
In computing, saved sequences of commands or keystrokes that can be replayed with a single instruction, used to automate repetitive work in a program.
“The spreadsheet came with macros that reformat the report in one click.”
How to use macros
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Informal shortening; nutrition literature prefers the full word macronutrients. The computing sense belongs to a completely separate field.
Etymology
A shortening of macronutrients, from Greek makros 'large, long' plus nutrient.
Full origin of macros →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between macros and calories?
Calories measure the energy in food as a single number. Macros describe where that energy comes from, splitting it into protein, carbohydrate and fat. Two meals can carry the same calories while having very different macros.
What is the difference between macros and micros?
Macros, or macronutrients, are the nutrients eaten in gram quantities that supply energy: protein, carbohydrate and fat. Micros, or micronutrients, are vitamins and minerals, needed in far smaller amounts and supplying no energy. The distinction is one of quantity and function, not importance.
Is alcohol a macro?
Alcohol supplies energy but is not one of the three macronutrients, and most tracking tools list it separately or fold its energy into the carbohydrate line. Because the treatment varies between tools, totals for the same drink can differ.