alert
[ uh-lurt ]
/ əˈlɜrt /
adjective
fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen: an alert mind.
swift; agile; nimble.
noun
verb (used with object)
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Nearby words
Idioms
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
1590–1600; 1940–45 for def 4; < Italian all'erta, equivalent to all(a) to, on the + erta lookout, watchtower, orig. feminine of erto, past participle of ergere < Latin ērigere to erect
SYNONYMS FOR alert
Related forms
a·lert·ly, adverba·lert·ness, nounhy·per·a·lert, adjectiveun·a·lert·ed, adjectiveSynonym study
1. Alert, vigilant, watchful imply a wide-awake attitude, as of someone keenly aware of his or her 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: watchful waiting.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for alerted
British Dictionary definitions for alerted
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
alertly, adverbalertness, nounWord 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
Idioms and Phrases with alerted
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.