alpha.
The name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to A.
Meaning & usage
The name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to A.
Latin alpha: the Latin letter Ɑ (minuscule: ɑ).
The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.
I will attempt to make an alpha particle ("α-particle") with the Large Hadron Collider.
The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.
A person, especially a male, who is dominant, successful and attractive; (see alpha male).
Clipping of alphabet.
The first versions of a program, usually only available to the developer, and only tested by the developer.
An angle of attack.
The level of translucency of a color, as determined by the alpha channel.
Ellipsis of alpha layer.
The significance level of a statistical test; the alpha level.
In omegaverse fiction, a person of a dominant secondary sex driven by biology, magic, or other means to bond with an omega, with males of this type often having canine-like genitalia.
Alternative letter-case form of Alpha (“member of Generation Alpha”).
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Semitic *ʔalp- Phoenician 𐤀𐤋𐤐 (ʾlp)bor. Ancient Greek ἄλφα (álpha)bor. English alpha From the Ancient Greek ἄλφα (álpha), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, from the Phoenician 𐤀 (ʾ, “aleph”). Doublet of alif and aleph.
Designates the first in an order of precedence.
I am the alpha male.
Exhibiting characteristics of the alpha male/female archetype.
Designates some bright star, usually the brightest star, of a constellation.
When interstellar travel becomes feasible, I plan to visit Alpha Centauri.
Clipping of alphabetical.
Sort the list in alpha order.
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Semitic *ʔalp- Phoenician 𐤀𐤋𐤐 (ʾlp)bor. Ancient Greek ἄλφα (álpha)bor. English alpha From the Ancient Greek ἄλφα (álpha), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, from the Phoenician 𐤀 (ʾ, “aleph”). Doublet of alif and aleph.
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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.
Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.