noun
Common
beta
BEE-tuh
Beta (noun) means the second letter of the Greek alphabet. Example: “In maths class we used the Greek letter beta for the second angle.”
noun
1
The second letter of the Greek alphabet.
"In maths class we used the Greek letter beta for the second angle."
"The teacher wrote alpha and beta on the board as variable names."
"Beta comes right after alpha in the Greek alphabet."
adj
1
Describing an early, unfinished version of a product released for testing.
"We are inviting readers to try the beta version of our website."
"Expect a few bugs, because this is only a beta release."
"The app is still in beta and crashes occasionally."
verb
1
To test an early version of software before its official release.
"Our team will beta the new feature with a small group of customers next week."
"She agreed to beta the game and report every bug she found."
"Thousands of gamers beta-tested the new update last month."
How to use beta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the Greek letter, or a trial/testing version of something before full release.
Common pairings
beta version
beta test
in beta
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Word forms
- Plural
- betas
- Third person singular
- betas
- Past tense
- betaed
Fill the gap
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In maths class we used the Greek letter _____ for the second angle.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek bêta, itself from a Phoenician letter name meaning "house" — the same root that gives English "beth."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for beta
See all rhymes for beta →Frequently asked questions
What does “beta” mean?
The word “beta” means the second letter of the Greek alphabet. In plain terms, either the Greek letter, or a trial/testing version of something before full release.
How do you pronounce “beta”?
“Beta” is pronounced BEE-tuh (/ˈbeɪtə/ in IPA).
How do you use “beta” in a sentence?
Here is “beta” used in a sentence: “Beta comes right after alpha in the Greek alphabet.”
What part of speech is “beta”?
Depending on how it is used, “beta” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “beta” come from?
The word “beta” comes from Ancient Greek. Borrowed from Ancient Greek bêta, itself from a Phoenician letter name meaning "house" — the same root that gives English "beth.".
Is “beta” a common word?
“Beta” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “beta” have?
“Beta” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the second letter of the Greek alphabet.
What is the difference between beta and alpha in software?
In software testing, alpha usually refers to an earlier, rougher stage tested internally, while a beta is a more complete but still unfinished version released for wider testing. A beta typically comes after the alpha stage and is closer to the finished product, though it may still contain problems.
What is the difference between beta and a final release?
A beta is an early, unfinished version of a product released for testing, so it may still have bugs and missing features. A final or stable release is considered finished and ready for general use. Using a beta means accepting that things might change or break before the full launch.
What words commonly go with beta?
In the software sense, beta pairs with words like version, test, release, and user, as in "beta version" or "beta test." People also speak of a product being "in beta" while it is still open for testing.
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