[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/beta/)

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# beta

noun (beta, betas); adjective (beta — of a version)

«beta» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Beta (β) is the second letter of the Greek alphabet, after alpha. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#m1)
2. A beta version of a game, app or program is an early version that is being tested by users before the final one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#m2)
3. (science) Beta is used in names, like beta rays (a kind of radiation) and beta-carotene (the orange colour in carrots). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#m3)
4. (slang) «Beta» is used online as an insult for a weak or shy person; it is unkind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#m4)

### In the lessons

In maths and science lessons, Greek letters label angles and quantities: α (alpha), β (beta), γ (gamma). «Alphabet» comes from alpha + beta. In computing and gaming, «beta testing» means trying out a new program to find bugs. In science later, beta radiation is one of three kinds (alpha, beta, gamma). The slang meaning is a put-down from online talk; it is not kind. Phrases: «beta version», «beta test», «alpha and beta», «beta-carotene».

### Examples

- β is the Greek letter beta. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#x1)
- «Alphabet» comes from the Greek letters alpha and beta. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#x2)
- My brother joined the beta test of a new game. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#x3)
- The app is still in beta, so it has some bugs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#x4)
- Carrots get their orange colour from beta-carotene. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#x5)
- In the diagram, angle beta is 40 degrees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#x6)
- (slang) Calling someone «beta» online is a mean put-down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/#x7)

### Note

Say it "BEE-ta" (UK) or "BAY-ta" (US). Plural «betas». In maths, β is a label for a number or angle, not a fixed value. «Alpha» (first, top) and «beta» (second, test) often appear together.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «beta» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beta/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«beta» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/beta.html) on Mova free.