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betta

American  
[bet-uh] / ˈbɛt ə /

betta British  
/ ˈbɛtə /

noun

  1. another name for fighting fish

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of betta

1925–30; < New Latin < ?

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

As in most of the director’s movies, the characters behave like preening betta fish.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 23, 2026

Claudius lives on in our newsroom as a well-fed betta fish.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 18, 2025

At first she kept every angelfish, betta and gourami.

From New York Times Mar. 17, 2023

At the end of her freshman year at the University of Tampa in May, Kira Rumfola packed her bags and headed to the airport with her favorite roommate: a colorful betta fish named Theo.

From Seattle Times Sep. 30, 2022

"Boy, you betta get your behind on up to that school."

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone

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