alpha
/ˈæl.fə/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.25 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
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.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A person, especially a male, who is dominant, successful and attractive; (see alpha male).
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "I will attempt to make an alpha particle ("α-particle") with the Large Hadron Collider."
- "Similarly, alphas are 2.33% larger than that of the equivalent monthly alphas using compounded returns while no changes can be found using arithmetic returns."
- "To investment professionals, “alpha” is the return over and above the market return. If in a given year the S. & P. 500 returns fifteen per cent and an equity-fund manager generates a return of twenty per cent, his alpha is five per cent."
- "Being a beta male in a species with alphas doesn't mean you have to sit out the mating game."
- "I'm still turned on by alpha males. I think there are only a couple of other men that turn me on . . . ones that are clearly not alphas."
- "This book is primarily for alpha males, or “top dogs.” We'll talk more about that later; but let's just say that if you are a man and successful in the world of trade, business, or profession, most likely you are an alpha, or you have been trained to act like an alpha."
Etymology
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.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: ἄλφα, 𐤀
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈæl.fə/
- British English: /ˈæl.fə/