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Alpha

/ˈælfə/

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.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Alpha"

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
3
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."
4
The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.

adjective

1
Designates the first in an order of precedence.
"I am the alpha male."
2
(of person, object or action) exhibiting characteristics of the alpha male/female archetype.
3
Designates some bright star, usually the brightest star, of a constellation.
"When space travel becomes feasible, I plan to visit Alpha Centauri."

🔄 Synonyms of "Alpha"

2 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
important	Having relevant and crucial value; having import.
of import	of great significance or value

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Alpha"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
important	Having relevant and crucial value; having import.
of import	of great significance or value
alphabetnoun	The set of letters used when writing in a language.
alphabeticalnoun	(crosswording) Ellipsis of alphabetical jigsaw. [(crosswording) A form of crossword in which clues are not numbered, but instead given in alphabetical order of their solution, and solvers must work out where each answer fits in the grid.]
alphabeticnoun	An alphabetic character; a letter of the alphabet.
alphanumericnoun	Consisting of, or limited to, letters and/or numbers, especially the characters A to Z (lowercase and uppercase) and 0 to 9.
alphabetically	(sequence) Arranged in the order of the alphabet.
letternoun	A symbol in an alphabet.
literacynoun	The ability to read and write.
coefficientnoun	(mathematics) A constant by which an algebraic term is multiplied.
principlenoun	A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
be-allnoun	(poetic) The whole; all that is to be.
beginningnoun	(uncountable) The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states.
alfanoun	(Islam) A West African cleric or religious teacher.
pipernoun	A musician who plays a pipe.
nopenoun	(informal) A negative reply, no.
necrosisnoun	(pathology) The localized death of cells or tissues through injury, disease, or the interruption of blood supply.
interferonnoun	(biochemistry) Any of a group of glycoproteins, produced by the immune system, that prevent viral replication in infected cells.
synucleinnoun	A small, soluble protein primarily expressed in neural tissue and in certain tumors.
fetoproteinnoun	(biochemistry) Any of several antigens produced in a developing embryo, of which the most common is alpha-fetoprotein.