noun

alarm

uh-LAHM

noun

A sound, signal, or device that warns of danger or draws attention to something needing action.

"The fire alarm went off just as the meeting was starting."

"She set three alarms so she wouldn't oversleep."

A sudden feeling of fear or anxiety caused by a sense of danger.

"There was real alarm in his voice when he called to say he'd be late."

verb

To make someone worried or afraid, often by warning them of a danger.

"The strange noise from the engine began to alarm the passengers."

"Don't be alarmed — it's just a routine inspection."

How to Use Alarm

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA warning signal (noun) or the act of frightening/warning someone (verb).

Common pairings

set an alarm sound the alarm raise the alarm alarm bells

alarmed past tense, alarms plural, alarms singular

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The fire _____ went off just as the meeting was starting.

From Old Italian all'arme!, literally "to arms!" — a battle cry that passed through French into English as a single word.