beta male

[bey-tuh meyl, bee-]

noun

1. a male animal having the second-highest rank in a dominance hierarchy.

   In the present study, social interactions between beta males were analyzed in groups of captive baboons.

2. Slang: Sometimes Disparaging.,  a man who is perceived to be weak, mild-mannered, and unimpressive.

Word History and Origins

Origin of beta male¹

First recorded in 1970–75 beta male for def. 1; 2005–10 beta male for def. 2