microcomputer
3 synonyms for microcomputer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A microcomputer is a computer built around a single microprocessor, smaller than a minicomputer or a mainframe.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
personal computer
How to use microcomputer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
home microcomputer
early microcomputers
microcomputer system
microcomputer market
The word now reads as slightly dated, since personal computer or PC is the usual modern term.
Etymology
The word joins the prefix micro- to computer. Its first recorded use dates from around 1956.
Full origin of microcomputer →Frequently asked questions
What is a microcomputer?
A microcomputer is a computer built around a single microprocessor chip. It is smaller than a minicomputer or a mainframe.
Is a microcomputer the same as a personal computer?
The terms are closely related and often used as synonyms, since most personal computers are microcomputers.
Is microcomputer still a common term?
It is now chiefly a historical term, mostly used to describe computers from the era when microprocessor-based machines were new.
