# alert

/əˈɫɝt/ (US) · /ɐlˈɜːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/alert
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. watchful

adjective · CEFR B1

watching and listening carefully so that you notice things quickly.

For teachers: fully aware and attentive; wide awake and ready to act or respond.

- The security guard stayed alert throughout the night to keep the building safe.
- Despite the long hours of the flight, the pilot remained alert and responded immediately to the slight change in engine vibration.

### 2. to warn

verb · CEFR B2

to tell someone about a danger or a problem so they can be ready.

For teachers: to notify someone of a potential danger, problem, or important event.

- A neighbor called to alert us that our garage door was still open.
- The intelligence agency acted quickly to alert the local authorities about the credible threat to the public event.

### 3. a warning

noun · CEFR B1

a message or signal that warns people of danger.

For teachers: a signal, such as a siren or digital notification, that warns of an immediate danger or important condition.

- The phone sent out a loud alert to warn everyone about the coming storm.
- The system triggered an automatic alert when the server temperature exceeded the safe operating limit.

### 4. readiness

noun · CEFR B2

a state of being ready for a sudden attack or danger.

For teachers: a condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action, especially in a military or emergency context.

- The army was on high alert after the peace talks failed.
- The coastal defenses were placed on full alert following reports of unidentified vessels entering territorial waters.

## Examples

- I received a weather alert on my phone this morning.
- The security system sends an automatic alert to the police if the front door is forced open after midnight.
- Despite the early morning hour, the emergency alert broadcast across all local radio stations, prompting residents to seek shelter before the storm reached the coast.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.