alert
uh-LURT
Alert (adj) means Watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly. Example: “Stay alert while driving at night.”
adj
1
Watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly.
"Stay alert while driving at night."
"The guard dog remained alert to every sound outside."
"Even after a long shift, the lifeguard stayed alert and scanned the water."
noun
1
A warning or notification about something that needs attention.
"She got a weather alert on her phone about the incoming storm."
"The bank sent an alert when someone tried to use my card abroad."
"A flood alert was issued for the villages along the river."
verb
1
To warn someone about something.
"A neighbor alerted the fire department to the smoke."
"Please alert the teacher if you see anyone struggling in the playground."
"The smoke alarm alerted us to the problem before the flames spread."
How to use alert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing watchful and ready to react, or a warning message telling you something needs attention.
Common pairings
stay alert
issue an alert
on high alert
security alert
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like alert.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- alerts
- Third person singular
- alerts
- Past tense
- alerted
- Comparative
- more alert
- Superlative
- most alert
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stay _____ while driving at night.
Etymology
From French alerte, from the Italian phrase all'erta, "to the height" (i.e., watching from a tower or lookout).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unalert
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “alert” mean?
The word “alert” means watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly. In plain terms, being watchful and ready to react, or a warning message telling you something needs attention.
How do you pronounce “alert”?
“Alert” is pronounced uh-LURT (/əˈlɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “alert” in a sentence?
Here is “alert” used in a sentence: “Stay alert while driving at night.”
What part of speech is “alert”?
Depending on how it is used, “alert” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “alert” come from?
The word “alert” comes from French. From French alerte, from the Italian phrase all'erta, "to the height" (i.e., watching from a tower or lookout).
Is “alert” a common word?
“Alert” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “alert” have?
“Alert” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly.
What is the difference between an "alert" and an "alarm"?
An alert is a warning or notification that draws attention to something needing action. An alarm is usually a device or signal triggered by danger, or the feeling of fear it causes; you can receive an alert without it causing alarm.
When should you use "alert" instead of "aware"?
Use "alert" for someone who is watchful and ready to react quickly, and "aware" for someone who simply knows or notices that something exists. A guard can be aware of a risk but must stay alert to respond to it in time.
What is the difference between an "alert" and a "notification"?
Both are messages that draw attention, but an alert usually signals something urgent or important that needs a quick response. A notification can be any routine update, which is why apps often separate critical alerts from ordinary notifications.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include alert:
