noun A2 Elementary Common

alarm

uh-LAHM

Alarm (noun) means a sound, signal, or device that warns of danger or draws attention to something needing action. Example: “The fire alarm went off just as the meeting was starting.”

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

Word forms

alarmed past tense, alarms plural, alarms singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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

Etymology

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

Origin: French

Synonyms

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warning alert siren fright panic dismay

Related words

fear aware threat signal warning shock alert panic

Frequently asked questions

What does “alarm” mean?

The word “alarm” means a sound, signal, or device that warns of danger or draws attention to something needing action. In plain terms, a warning signal (noun) or the act of frightening/warning someone (verb).

How do you pronounce “alarm”?

“Alarm” is pronounced uh-LAHM (/əˈlɑɹm/ in IPA).

How do you use “alarm” in a sentence?

Here is “alarm” used in a sentence: “The fire alarm went off just as the meeting was starting.”

What part of speech is “alarm”?

Depending on how it is used, “alarm” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “alarm” come from?

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

Is “alarm” a common word?

“Alarm” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “alarm” have?

“Alarm” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sound, signal, or device that warns of danger or draws attention to something needing action.

What is the difference between "alarm" and "alert"?

An "alarm" is a signal or device that warns of danger, or the fear such danger causes, and it often implies something automatic like a fire alarm. An "alert" is more often a warning message that calls for attention or readiness. Alarms tend to sound, while alerts tend to inform.

What is the difference between the two meanings of "alarm"?

"Alarm" can be a sound, signal, or device that warns of danger, as in a burglar alarm, or it can be the sudden feeling of fear and anxiety that a sense of danger causes, as in "she watched with alarm." One is external and audible, the other an internal emotion.

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