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Definition of betta

betta

/ˈbɛt.ə/
bet · ta
Plural:bettas
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betta Lexical Profile

betta Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, brightly colored freshwater fish of the genus Betta, native to Southeast Asia, widely kept in aquariums and renowned for the highly aggressive, territorial behavior of the males (commonly known as the Siamese fighting fish).

Example

"She set up a heated, heavily planted five-gallon tank to provide a comfortable home for her new betta."

Word Nuance & Usage

Often confused with the Greek letter 'beta'; however, in the aquarium trade, 'betta' is traditionally pronounced with a short 'e' (BET-uh) rather than a long 'a' (BAY-tuh).

• Rhymes for betta

• Nearby Words

betroth
betrothal
betrothed
betta
better
betterment
bettong

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Javanese or Malay phrase 'ikan betah', meaning 'persistent fish', a reference to the species' aggressive and enduring fighting nature.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Betta. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/betta
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