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
   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

This signal serves as an alert for medical personnel, immediately drawing attention to potentially hazardous circumstances.

From Science Daily

Several users on X, formerly Twitter, posted screenshots of an alert telling them "please check your entries and try again" when attempting to log in.

From BBC

I was able to sort of stretch so much more because I was kept so alert by the job at hand.

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers engineered yeast to act as single-celled drug factories and produce immune checkpoint inhibitors -- anticancer drugs that alert immune cells to the presence of cancer cells.

From Science Daily

The UK Health Security Agency also issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for elderly and vulnerable people.

From BBC

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.