noun

omicron

O-mihk-ron

Omicron (noun) means the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet. Example: “The professor wrote omicron on the board to distinguish it from omega.”

noun

The 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.

"The professor wrote omicron on the board to distinguish it from omega."

Used as a label in scientific naming, such as for a variant of a virus.

"The Omicron variant spread rapidly across the globe in late 2021."

How to use omicron

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA Greek letter, also used as a label for the 15th item in a numbered scientific series (like virus variants).

Easily confused with

omega →

Word forms

omicrons plural, omicra plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The professor wrote _____ on the board to distinguish it from omega.

Etymology

From Greek "o mikron," meaning "little o," as opposed to the "big o" of omega.

Origin: Greek

Frequently asked questions

What does “omicron” mean?

The word “omicron” means the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet. In plain terms, a Greek letter, also used as a label for the 15th item in a numbered scientific series (like virus variants).

How do you pronounce “omicron”?

“Omicron” is pronounced O-mihk-ron (/ˈoʊməˌkɹɑn/ in IPA).

How do you use “omicron” in a sentence?

Here is “omicron” used in a sentence: “The professor wrote omicron on the board to distinguish it from omega.”

What part of speech is “omicron”?

“Omicron” is a noun.

Where does the word “omicron” come from?

The word “omicron” comes from Greek. From Greek "o mikron," meaning "little o," as opposed to the "big o" of omega.

How many meanings does “omicron” have?

“Omicron” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.