alpha

alpha — noun

IPA/ˈælfə/
KK[ˈælfə]IPA/ˈælfə/
  • alphasingular
  • alphasplural

1. the name of the very first letter in Greek writing, shown as A in capital form a

1.nounC1
Definition

the name of the very first letter in Greek writing, shown as A in capital form and as α in its small form.

Example

Professor Marsden wrote a small alpha on the chalkboard to show students the symbol used in physics.

alpha as a written Greek-letter symbol

In the equation, the angle is marked with the Greek letter alpha next to the triangle.

noun used after 'Greek letter'

Common collocations
  • alpha particle
  • alpha wave
  • Greek letter alpha
Antonyms
  • omega

    the last letter of the Greek alphabet, often paired with alpha

Grammar Patterns

the alpha

alpha + noun (e.g. alpha particle)

Usage Note

Often capitalised as 'Alpha' when used as a proper name (e.g. for stars or experimental missions). In running scientific text, the lowercase symbol α frequently replaces the spelled-out word.

Common Mistakes

The first letter of the English alphabet is alpha.
The first letter of the English alphabet is A; alpha is the Greek one.
alpha belongs to the Greek alphabet, not the English one.

alpha — adjective

IPA/ˈæl.fə/
KK[ˈælfə]IPA/ˈæl.fə/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All four words describe people who take the leading role, but they differ in tone and setting. 'Alpha' is informal and often used in pop-psychology talk about office life, dating, or animal groups; it suggests both confidence and a wish to be in charge. 'Dominant' is the neutral, more formal choice and is the word scientists pick when writing about wolves or chimpanzees. 'Assertive' is the kindest of the set: it praises someone for stating their needs clearly without putting others down. 'Domineering' and 'bossy' are clearly negative: they say the person controls others too much. Compare: 'Coach Reyes is an alpha leader' (admiring, casual) vs 'Coach Reyes is domineering' (a complaint about his behaviour).

dominant ↗assertive ↗domineering ↗bossy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • alpha male
  • alpha female
  • alpha version
  • alpha build
  • alpha release
  • alpha test
  • alpha particle
  • alpha wave

Adverbs

  • very alpha
  • totally alpha

Phrases

  • go into alpha
  • ship an alpha
  • the alpha and the omega

Prepositions

  • in alpha
  • into alpha

Etymology

PhoenicianAncient GreekLatinEnglish

English borrowed 'alpha' through Latin from Ancient Greek 'álpha', the name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet. The Greek name itself came from a Phoenician letter called 'aleph', which originally pictured an ox's head. Because 'alpha' has marked the start of an ordered list since ancient times, modern English uses it as a label for 'the first' or 'the leading' member of a set, whether that is an early software build or the most forceful person in a group.