beta

noun

(computing, video games) (uncountable) The phase of development after alpha testing and before launch, in which software, while not complete, has been released to potential users for testing.

(computing, video games) (countable) Software in such a phase; a preliminary version.

(finance) Average sensitivity of a security's price to overall securities market prices.

The second letter of the Greek alphabet (Β, β), preceded by alpha (Α, α) and followed by gamma, (Γ, γ). In modern Greek it represents the voiced labiodental fricative sound of v found in the English words have and vase.

(computing, video games) (proscribed, uncountable) Any kind of content from early development that was not used in the final product.

(fandom slang) In omegaverse fiction, a person of a secondary sex similar to normal humans, lacking the biological drives of alphas and omegas but generally capable of bonding and mating with either.

(climbing) Information about a route which may aid someone in climbing it.

(physics) A beta particle or beta ray.

(aviation) The range of engine power settings in which the blade pitch angle of a constant-speed propeller is controlled directly by the angle of the engine's throttle lever (rather than varying with engine torque and airspeed to maintain a constant propeller RPM), allowing the propeller to be disked to generate high drag and slow the aircraft quickly.

(aviation) Sideslip angle.

(North India, Pakistan, colloquial, Hinglish) a term of endearment, used towards someone of equal or lower standing such as a friend or child, similar to brother or son

A member of Generation Beta.

(slang, manosphere, masculism) Ellipsis of beta male, a man who is less competent or desirable than an alpha male. [A male second in a social or group hierarchy and submissive to the alpha male.]

Alternative spelling of betta (“fish in the genus Betta”). [Any fish of the genus Betta, especially Betta splendens (the Siamese fighting fish).]

Clipping of Betamax [A home videocassette recording format developed by Sony in 1975, now known for having lost the format war to VHS.]

(education, rare) An academic grade better than a gamma and worse than an alpha.

verb

(computing) To preliminarily release computer software for initial testing prior to final release.

(chiefly Internet) To beta-read a text.

adjective

(computing) Preliminary; prerelease. Refers to an incomplete version of a product released for initial testing.

(of a person, object or action) Associated with the beta male/female archetype.

Designates the second in an order of precedence.

Identifying a molecular position in an organic chemical compound.

Roots

bethbet- · Phoenician · house

Words related to beta

alphaadj prerelease gamman thetan screenshots epsilonn carotenen zetan upsilonn omicronn updaterv digamma demon testersn thymosinn omegan taun sigman freewaren vaporware

Synonyms & related words for beta

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Words related to beta

Explore words related to beta — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include alpha, prerelease, gamma, theta, screenshots, epsilon, carotene, zeta. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does beta come from?

The word beta breaks down into one root of Phoenician origin: the root bet-, from Phoenician beth (“house”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.