noun

epsilon

ehp-SEYE-luhn

Epsilon (noun) means the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet (ε, Ε), between delta and zeta. Example: “The professor labeled the angle epsilon in her diagram.”

noun

The fifth letter of the Greek alphabet (ε, Ε), between delta and zeta.

"The professor labeled the angle epsilon in her diagram."

Math/science: a symbol for an arbitrarily small positive quantity.

"For any epsilon greater than zero, we can find a value of n that satisfies the inequality."

How to use epsilon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA Greek letter, often used in math to mean "a tiny amount."

Common pairings

epsilon greater than zero the letter epsilon

Word forms

epsilons plural, epsila plural

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Fill the gap

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The professor labeled the angle _____ in her diagram.

Etymology

From Greek e psilón, "plain e" — distinguishing it from the diphthong sound written with other letters.

Origin: Greek

Frequently asked questions

What does “epsilon” mean?

The word “epsilon” means the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet (ε, Ε), between delta and zeta. In plain terms, a Greek letter, often used in math to mean "a tiny amount.".

How do you pronounce “epsilon”?

“Epsilon” is pronounced ehp-SEYE-luhn (/ˈɛp.sɪˌlɑn/ in IPA).

How do you use “epsilon” in a sentence?

Here is “epsilon” used in a sentence: “The professor labeled the angle epsilon in her diagram.”

What part of speech is “epsilon”?

“Epsilon” is a noun.

Where does the word “epsilon” come from?

The word “epsilon” comes from Greek. From Greek e psilón, "plain e" — distinguishing it from the diphthong sound written with other letters.

How many meanings does “epsilon” have?

“Epsilon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet (ε, Ε), between delta and zeta.