alert
alert Lexical Profile
alert Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances; vigilant and attentive.
"An alert security guard noticed the unlocked side door during his midnight rounds."
Quick to think, understand, or respond; mentally sharp and fully awake.
"Even in her nineties, my grandmother remained remarkably alert and engaged in current events."
• noun
An official warning or notification of danger, a threat, or an urgent situation, or the signal that conveys it.
"The weather service issued a flash flood alert for the entire valley."
The state of being watchful and ready to deal with possible danger or emergency.
"Emergency medical teams were placed on high alert ahead of the approaching hurricane."
• verb
To warn someone of a danger, threat, or problem, typically with the intention of having it avoided or dealt with.
"Neighbors quickly alerted the fire department when they saw smoke rising from the roof."
• Rhymes for alert
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from French alerte, from the Italian phrase all'erta ('to the watchtower' or 'on the lookout'), from erta ('lookout, high place'), ultimately from Latin erecta, past participle of erigere ('to raise up').