alert

[ uh-lurt ]

adjective

1. fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen:

   She had an alert mind.

   Synonyms: observant, wary, awake

   Antonyms: unaware

2. swift; agile; nimble.

   Synonyms: spirited, sprightly, active, quick, lively, brisk

noun

1. an attitude of vigilance, readiness, or caution, as before an expected attack.
2. a warning or alarm of an impending military attack, a storm, etc.:

   We'd just boarded the bus when the alert sounded.

3. the period during which such a warning or alarm is in effect.

verb (used with object)

1. to warn (troops, ships, etc.) to prepare for action.
2. to warn of an impending raid, attack, storm, etc.:

   The radio alerted coastal residents to prepare for the hurricane.

3. to advise or warn; cause to be on guard:

   to alert gardeners to the dangers of some pesticides.

alert

/ əˈlɜːt /

adjective

1. vigilantly attentive

   alert to the problems

2. brisk, nimble, or lively

noun

1. an alarm or warning, esp a siren warning of an air raid
2. the period during which such a warning remains in effect
3. on the alert
   on the alert
   1. on guard against danger, attack, etc
   2. watchful; ready

      on the alert for any errors

verb

1. to warn or signal (troops, police, etc) to prepare for action
2. to warn of danger, an attack, etc

Derived Forms

• aˈlertly, adverb
• aˈlertness, noun

Other Words From

• a·lertly adverb
• a·lertness noun
• hyper·a·lert adjective
• una·lerted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alert¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; 1940–45 alert fordef 4; from Italian all'erta, equivalent to all ( a ) “to, on the” + erta “lookout, watchtower,” originally feminine of erto, past participle of ergere from Latin ērigere to erect

Word History and Origins

Origin of alert¹

C17: from Italian all'erta on the watch, from erta lookout post, from ergere to build up, from Latin ērigere; see erect

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing alert

see on the alert .

Synonym Study

Alert, vigilant, watchful imply a wide-awake attitude, as of someone keenly aware of their surroundings. Alert describes a ready and prompt attentiveness together with a quick intelligence: The tourist was alert and eager to see the sights. Vigilant suggests some immediate necessity for keen, active observation, and for continuing alertness: Knowing the danger, the scout was unceasingly vigilant. Watchful suggests carefulness and preparedness: A stakeout requires watchful waiting.

Example Sentences

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation became involved early on when the Tesla employee alerted it to Kriuchkov’s plan.

From MIT Technology Review

There's also an app—of course there's an app—that will alert you when the mask filters need to be replaced.

From Ars Technica

The new $100 Inspire 2 activity tracker is different from the Halo, however, with a small screen that provides phone notifications and app alerts.

From Fortune

Mobile phone and broadcast alerts advised people to prepare to evacuate.

From Science News

District Attorney Michael Ramsey of Butte County, where Paradise is located, confirmed in March that PG&E alerted his office to the allegations and said he was awaiting further information.

From ProPublica

Minutes before an airplane hit the water, an alert would go out.

From The Daily Beast

France is on high alert this week after a series of attacks by loners.

From The Daily Beast

I also want to alert you to the broader circumstances of my incarceration.

From The Daily Beast

Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you haven't seen season five episode eight of  The Walking Dead, “Coda”

From The Daily Beast

They walk closely together, tense, and alert in their movements.

From The Daily Beast

It was Carmena, every nerve of her loyal nature on the alert to baffle this pursuer of Alessandro and Ramona.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, his hand resting on the handle of the cab-door, this expression suddenly changed to one of alert suspicion.

From Project Gutenberg

He is small, alert, brimful of jokes and of years; seventy they say, but he neither looks it nor acts it.

From Project Gutenberg

But his eyes and ears were alert, and he was the first to hear the advent of a large body of horses along the main road.

From Project Gutenberg

The almost lazy naturalness and simplicity faded gradually out of it, revealing the alert and seductive woman of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alarm
• signal

More About Alert

What does alert mean?

An alert is a warning or alarm, especially an alarm about dangerous weather or a military attack, as in The National Weather Service has alerts for tornadoes, hurricanes, Nor’easters, and other severe weather occurrences.

Alert is also an attitude of readiness or caution, as in Tina was on alert for news of her son’s acceptance into college.

Alert describes being fully attentive or wide awake, as in Sabine needs to be awake for several hours before she is alert and ready to work. You can be alert to the people and objects surrounding you. When you are alert, you’re ready to act or react instead of being surprised. But you can also be alert to concepts, ideas, and trends, ready to react to a change in others’ thoughts or to a change in the market.

To alert means to advise or to warn, as with an alert. For example, your teacher might alert you that your big project is due soon, while a police department might alert the public about a dangerous person on the streets.

Example: Alert the security team of the incident and then head home.

Where does alert come from?

The first records of alert come from around the 1600s. It comes from the Italian all’erta, meaning “on the watch, on the lookout.”

Another type of alert is the notifications we get on our mobile phones, computers, and similar devices. These alerts aren’t meant to warn you but to notify you. For example, a sound might play when you receive a voice call, an icon might appear on the screen when you receive a new email, or a light might blink when you receive a new text message. All of these are alerts that alert you to new activity in an application. To keep from being overwhelmed with alerts, some people shut off some or all alerts on their devices.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to alert?

• alertly (adverb)
• alertness (noun)
• hyperalert (adjective)
• unalerted (adjective)

What are some synonyms for alert?

• forewarn
• signal
• observant
• vigilant

What are some words that share a root or word element with alert? 

• alertly
• alertness
• unalerted

What are some words that often get used in discussing alert?

• pop-up
• siren
• spoiler

How is alert used in real life?

Alert is most commonly used to refer to notifications on mobile phones and other digital devices.

alert. breaking news. i love you

— Thoughts of Dog® (@dog_feelings) August 2, 2017

🚨🚨🚨 SPOILER ALERT 🚨🚨🚨

(You're welcome, @steelers.)

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2016

Who wants to hang out and drive the speed limit Who wants to not honk at other drivers unless it’s to alert potential collision I do – Lil B

— Lil B THE BASEDGOD (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) October 2, 2017

 

Try using alert!

Is alert used correctly in the following sentence?

I shut off all the alerts on my phone when I go to sleep at night.