alpha

[ˈælfə]

alpha Definition

  • 1the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α)
  • 2the beginning or most important part of something

Using alpha: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "alpha" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The word 'alphabet' comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha and beta.

  • Example

    He is the alpha and omega of the company, responsible for both its beginning and end.

  • Example

    The alpha version of the software is not yet complete, but it's already showing promise.

alpha Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with alpha

  • the beginning and the end; the entirety of something

    Example

    He is the alpha and omega of the project, overseeing every aspect from start to finish.

  • a dominant or assertive man, often used in reference to social hierarchies or animal behavior

    Example

    He was the alpha male of the group, always taking charge and making decisions.

  • an early stage of testing for software or other products, typically done by developers or a select group of users

    Example

    The alpha test revealed several bugs that needed to be fixed before the product could be released.

Origins of alpha

from Greek 'alphá', from Phoenician 'aleph', meaning 'ox'

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Summary: alpha in Brief

'Alpha' [ˈælfə] refers to the first letter of the Greek alphabet, Α, α, and is also used to denote the beginning or most important part of something. It can be used in phrases like 'alpha and omega,' which means the entirety of something, and 'alpha male,' which refers to a dominant or assertive man. 'Alpha' can also be used to describe an early stage of testing for software or other products.

How do native speakers use this expression?