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alert

[ uh-lurt ]
/ əˈlɜrt /
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See synonyms for: alert / alerted / alerts / alertly on Thesaurus.com

adjective
fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen: She had an alert mind.
swift; agile; nimble.
noun
verb (used with object)
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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

First recorded in 1590–1600; 1940–45 for def. 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

synonym study for alert

1. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM alert

a·lert·ly, adverba·lert·ness, nounhy·per·a·lert, adjectiveun·a·lert·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alert in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alert

alert
/ (əˈlɜːt) /

adjective (usually postpositive)
vigilantly attentivealert to the problems
brisk, nimble, or lively
noun
verb (tr)
to warn or signal (troops, police, etc) to prepare for action
to warn of danger, an attack, etc

Derived forms of alert

alertly, adverbalertness, noun

Word Origin for alert

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

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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