alarm

[ uh-lahrm ]

noun

1. a sudden fear or distressing suspense caused by an awareness of danger; apprehension; fright.

   Synonyms: panic, terror, consternation

2. 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.

3. an automatic device that serves to call attention, to rouse from sleep, or to warn of fire, smoke, an intruder, etc.
4. a warning sound; signal for attention.
5. Animal Behavior. any sound, outcry, chemical discharge, action, or other signal that functions to draw attention to a potential predator.
6. Fencing. an appeal or a challenge made by a step or stamp on the ground with the advancing foot.
7. Archaic. a call to arms.

verb (used with object)

1. to make fearful or apprehensive; distress.
2. to warn of danger; rouse to vigilance and swift measures for safety.
3. to fit or equip with an alarm or alarms, as for fire, smoke, or robbery:

   to alarm one's house and garage.

alarm

/ əˈlɑːm /

verb

1. to fill with apprehension, anxiety, or fear
2. to warn about danger; alert
3. to fit or activate a burglar alarm on a house, car, etc

noun

1. fear or terror aroused by awareness of danger; fright
2. apprehension or uneasiness

   the idea of failing filled him with alarm

3. a noise, signal, etc, warning of danger
4. any device that transmits such a warning

   a burglar alarm

5. 1. the device in an alarm clock that triggers off the bell or buzzer
   2. short for alarm clock
6. archaic.
   a call to arms
7. fencing a warning or challenge made by stamping the front foot

Derived Forms

• aˈlarming, adjective
• aˈlarmingly, adverb

Other Words From

• a·larma·ble adjective
• a·larm·ed·ly [uh, -, lahr, -mid-lee], adverb
• prea·larm verb (used with object) noun
• una·larmed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alarm¹

1350–1400; Middle English alarme, alarom < Middle French < Old Italian allarme, noun from phrase all'arme to (the) arms. See arm ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of alarm¹

C14: from Old French alarme, from Old Italian all'arme to arms; see arm ²

Idioms and Phrases

see false alarm .

Synonym Study

See fear. See frighten.

Example Sentences

But his nomination has alarmed many public health and medical officials who say they are worried that the solutions Kennedy might deem appropriate could undermine Americans’ health in the long run.

From Los Angeles Times

One in particular — Phos-Chek LC-95W — had “potentially alarming” concentrations of several metals, including chromium, cadmium and vanadium, he said, adding that the substance could be classified as hazardous waste under federal and California regulations.

From Los Angeles Times

The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, described the incidents as deeply alarming, and noted for some they were a reminder of historical pogroms against Jews.

From BBC

However, Trump also drew alarm in the industry with efforts to lower drug prices, including by making it easier to import medicine from Canada.

From BBC

Republican Senator Susan Collins said she had found some of Kennedy's "statements to be alarming" but said she would grant him a fair hearing during confirmation proceedings.

From BBC

Related Words

• amaze
• astonish
• daunt
• dismay
• frighten
• scare
• startle
• surprise
• terrify
• unnerve

More About Alarm

What does alarm mean?

Alarm is a sudden feeling of fear or suspense caused by an awareness of danger, as in The pirates boarding the ship filled the captain with alarm.

An alarm is any sound or cry that is meant to alert someone. It can also be the device that produces the alarm, such as an alarm clock. Sounding the alarm means to activate a siren, bell, or a repeated verbal call, usually projected from a speaker of some kind.

To alarm someone is to make them fearful or distressed, as in My parents alarmed me when they started talking about moving south.

To alarm also means to warn someone about danger.

Example: Not to alarm you, but I feel like I might need to go to the emergency room.

Where does alarm come from?

The first records of the term alarm come from the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Old Italian all’arme, meaning “to arms,” with arms referring to weapons.

Alarms meant to be a reminder to go to an event usually don’t cause alarm in the sense of fear—unless you’re late. Most often, these types of alarms cause you to become alert and aware of something that is needed, similar to how people experiencing alarm become aware of danger.

One use of alarm you might not be familiar with is a certificate of alarm, which is a document that is certified by a home security company and sent to an insurance company to confirm that a house is secured. People with home security systems should pursue a certificate of alarm in order to get a discount on their insurance cost.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to alarm?

• alarmable (adjective)
• alarmedly (adverb)
• alarming (verb, adjective)
• unalarmed (adjective)

What are some synonyms for alarm?

• alert
• warning
• anxiety
• apprehension
• dismay
• terrify

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

• alert
• arms
• alarmist

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

• fear
• siren
• unease

How is alarm used in real life?

Alarms on phones and clocks are a common way to remind yourself about something.

Set my alarm for 10:30 and my phone was set an hour forwards :(

— michael clifford on tour (@Michael5SOS) June 23, 2014

Not to alarm everyone, but I overheard a supermarket manager tell an employee "Frito-Lay is totally out of product."

— Sean Thomason (@TheThomason) March 13, 2020

My pig refuses to eat lettuce, carrots, celery, or any other vegetable, no matter how hungry she is.

Now I'm alarmed.

I'm raising me.

— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@XplodingUnicorn) December 13, 2016

 

Try using alarm!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for alarm?

A. aloof
B. alert
C. signal
D. warning