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APG.American
Pronunciation Guide
HOW TO PRONOUNCE

alpha

/ˈæl.fə/

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What does alpha mean?

noun

  1. 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.
  2. Latin alpha: the Latin letter Ɑ (minuscule: ɑ).
  3. The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.
More meanings (24)

noun

  1. The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.
  2. A person, especially a male, who is dominant, successful and attractive; (see alpha male).
  3. (informal) Clipping of alphabet.
  4. The first versions of a program, usually only available to the developer, and only tested by the developer.
  5. An angle of attack.
  6. The level of translucency of a color, as determined by the alpha channel.
  7. Ellipsis of alpha layer.
  8. The significance level of a statistical test; the alpha level.
  9. (slang) 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.
  10. Alternative letter-case form of Alpha (“member of Generation Alpha”).
  11. Alternative letter-case form of alpha.
  12. A member of Generation Alpha.

adjective

  1. Designates the first in an order of precedence.
  2. Exhibiting characteristics of the alpha male/female archetype.
  3. Designates some bright star, usually the brightest star, of a constellation.
  4. Clipping of alphabetical.

proper noun

  1. A ghost town in California, United States (USA).
  2. A village in Illinois, United States.
  3. A village in Michigan, United States.
  4. A city and village in Minnesota, United States.
  5. A borough of New Jersey, United States.
  6. A town in Queensland, Australia.
  7. Former name of the International Space Station.
  8. A RISC CPU instruction set architecture developed and marketed by Digital Equipment Corporation (then later by Compaq and then Hewlett-Packard) from 1992 until 2004.
Wiktionary contributors Wiktionary contributors

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈæl.fə/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

This is the alpha and the omega of every thing observable in the examination of simple people.
Hans GrossCriminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and StudentsTranslated by Horace Meyer KallenProject Gutenberg ebook #1320
“It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the geese which you supplied to the Alpha.”
Arthur Conan DoyleThe Adventures of Sherlock HolmesProject Gutenberg ebook #1661
More book examples (3)
He was versed in patent lore from Alpha to Omega; and as the trial proceeded, he became convinced that the Bell patent was valid.
Herbert Newton CassonThe History of the TelephoneProject Gutenberg ebook #819
Justice, nothing else; that is the alpha and omega of my argument: to others I leave the business of governing the world.
P.-J. (Pierre-Joseph) ProudhonWhat is Property? An Inquiry into the Principle of Right and of GovernmentProject Gutenberg ebook #360
Is He not the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last"?
John EllisPersonal Experience of a PhysicianProject Gutenberg ebook #6481