alert
fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen: She had an alert mind.
swift; agile; nimble.
an attitude of vigilance, readiness, or caution, as before an expected attack.
a warning or alarm of an impending military attack, a storm, etc.: We'd just boarded the bus when the alert sounded.
the period during which such a warning or alarm is in effect.
to warn (troops, ships, etc.) to prepare for action.
to warn of an impending raid, attack, storm, etc.: The radio alerted coastal residents to prepare for the hurricane.
to advise or warn; cause to be on guard: to alert gardeners to the dangers of some pesticides.
Idioms about alert
on the alert, on guard against danger; in readiness; vigilant: The state police are on the alert for an escaped convict believed to be in the area.
Origin of alert
1synonym study For alert
Other words for alert
Opposites for alert
Other words from alert
- a·lert·ly, adverb
- a·lert·ness, noun
- hy·per·a·lert, adjective
- un·a·lert·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use alert in a sentence
Red alert, which alerts users every time a rocket is fired into Israel, has already been downloaded 780,000 times.
The Israeli App Red Alert Saves Lives—but It Just Might Drive You Nuts | Itay Hod | July 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSGR-A1 scans autonomously, and once it detects suspected intruders alerts the operator.
Smoke Rings, Mystery Backpacks and Gun-Toting Robots: The Weird Wartech of the Korean Conflict | Kyle Mizokami | April 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe prick of conscience she has alerts us to the fact that she is different from Francis—or just at a different stage of her life.
Beau Willimon on Most Shocking Twists in ‘House of Cards’ Season 2 | Andrew Romano | February 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn addition to the photos and messages Mary Neese posts to Facebook, she also always reposts Amber Alerts about missing children.
West Virginia Heathers: Was Skylar Neese Murdered by Her Best Friends? | Caroline Linton | December 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTTurn off alerts at certain times under the website's settings section under the "Mobile" tab.
As the fire was nearest to their engine house the Alerts got there, and got a stream on to the fire before the Reliables arrived.
Continuous Vaudeville | Will M. CressyOne of those mental alerts from the coyotes broke his absorption.
The Defiant Agents | Andre Alice Norton“Shit,” he said, and began to sort through the alerts while his back and neck muscles tightened.
Makers | Cory DoctorowThe number indicated date, estimated area and relation to previous alerts in the month, estimated intent, and frequency of report.
The Circuit Riders | R. C. FitzPatrickThe loud, continuous song of the male during nestbuilding alerts cowbirds and predators to the presence of a nest.
Natural History of the Bell Vireo, Vireo bellii Audubon | Jon C. Barlow
British Dictionary definitions for alert
/ (əˈlɜːt) /
vigilantly attentive: alert to the problems
brisk, nimble, or lively
an alarm or warning, esp a siren warning of an air raid
the period during which such a warning remains in effect
on the alert
on guard against danger, attack, etc
watchful; ready: on the alert for any errors
to warn or signal (troops, police, etc) to prepare for action
to warn of danger, an attack, etc
Origin of alert
1Derived forms of alert
- alertly, adverb
- alertness, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with alert
see on the alert.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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