alarm
a sudden fear or distressing suspense caused by an awareness of danger; apprehension; fright.
any sound, outcry, or information intended to warn of approaching danger: Paul Revere raced through the countryside raising the alarm that the British were coming.
an automatic device that serves to call attention, to rouse from sleep, or to warn of fire, smoke, an intruder, etc.
a warning sound; signal for attention.
Animal Behavior. any sound, outcry, chemical discharge, action, or other signal that functions to draw attention to a potential predator.
Fencing. an appeal or a challenge made by a step or stamp on the ground with the advancing foot.
Archaic. a call to arms.
to make fearful or apprehensive; distress.
to warn of danger; rouse to vigilance and swift measures for safety.
to fit or equip with an alarm or alarms, as for fire, smoke, or robbery: to alarm one's house and garage.
Origin of alarm
1synonym study For alarm
Other words for alarm
Other words from alarm
- a·larm·a·ble, adjective
- a·larm·ed·ly [uh-lahr-mid-lee], /əˈlɑr mɪd li/, adverb
- pre·a·larm, verb (used with object), noun
- un·a·larmed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use alarm in a sentence
No alarms were triggered as she strolled out of the Giant supermarket in Limerick, Pennsylvania, and nobody thought otherwise.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks | M.L. Nestel | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWe need to strike a balance between creating false alarms and letting any urgent medical matters fall through the cracks.
When the ship hit the rocks, the sound of bells ringing and alarms sounding echoed in the theater.
The Costa Concordia’s Randy Reckless Captain Takes the Stand | Barbie Latza Nadeau | December 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe first time alarms sounded, contestants were told it was a false alarm, and reassured with a small party.
The loss of Air France 447 in the South Atlantic in 2009 rang all the right alarms.
The night passed amid various excursions on the part of Aristide and alarms on the part of Jean.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeElizabeth, meanwhile, was filled with alarms respecting her daughter's unhappy infatuation.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterThe alarms and excursions of the past three weeks were naturally trying to a girl born and bred in a quiet Devon village.
The Red Year | Louis TracyHere I had no alarms, no fatiguing journeys, no anxiety; my mind became calm and unruffled, and I was once more at peace.
Confessions of a Thug | Philip Meadows TaylorThe ministers of religion possess the secret of tempering the alarms which they have the art to excite.
Letters To Eugenia | Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
British Dictionary definitions for alarm
/ (əˈlɑːm) /
to fill with apprehension, anxiety, or fear
to warn about danger; alert
to fit or activate a burglar alarm on a house, car, etc
fear or terror aroused by awareness of danger; fright
apprehension or uneasiness: the idea of failing filled him with alarm
a noise, signal, etc, warning of danger
any device that transmits such a warning: a burglar alarm
the device in an alarm clock that triggers off the bell or buzzer
short for alarm clock
archaic a call to arms
fencing a warning or challenge made by stamping the front foot
Origin of alarm
1Derived forms of alarm
- alarming, adjective
- alarmingly, adverb
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 alarm
see false alarm.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse