alert

[uh-lurt] /əˈlɜrt/
adjective
1.
fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen:
an alert mind.
2.
swift; agile; nimble.
noun
3.
an attitude of vigilance, readiness, or caution, as before an expected attack.
4.
a warning or alarm of an impending military attack, a storm, etc.:
We'd just boarded the bus when the alert sounded.
5.
the period during which such a warning or alarm is in effect.
verb (used with object)
6.
to warn (troops, ships, etc.) to prepare for action.
7.
to warn of an impending raid, attack, storm, etc.:
The radio alerted coastal residents to prepare for the hurricane.
8.
to advise or warn; cause to be on guard:
to alert gardeners to the dangers of some pesticides.
Idioms
9.
on the alert, on guard against danger; in readiness; vigilant:
The state police are on the alert for an escaped convict believed to be in the area.
Origin
1590-1600; 1940-45 for def 4; < Italian all'erta, equivalent to all(a) to, on the + erta lookout, watchtower, orig. feminine of erto, past participle of ergere < Latin ērigere to erect
Related forms
alertly, adverb
alertness, noun
hyperalert, adjective
unalerted, adjective
Synonyms
1. awake, wary, observant. Alert, vigilant, watchful imply a wide-awake attitude, as of someone keenly aware of his or her surroundings. Alert describes a ready and prompt attentiveness together with a quick intelligence: The tourist was alert and eager to see the sights. Vigilant suggests some immediate necessity for keen, active observation, and for continuing alertness: Knowing the danger, the scout was unceasingly vigilant. Watchful suggests carefulness and preparedness: watchful waiting. 2. brisk, lively, quick, active, sprightly, spirited.
Antonyms
1. unaware.
Examples from the web for alert
  • They can map out physical dangers and act as early-warning systems to alert humans to the presence of hazardous chemicals or fire.
  • So alert me about the models that are working on your campus or that you think should be tried.
  • Sign up now to receive a weekly e-mail alert when the new audio edition is published.
  • Bob held the stage with his actor's baritone and theatrical chuckle, his eyes crinkled and sharply alert.
  • Recipe alert for those gardeners lucky enough to be able to grow rhubarb.
  • Ideally, obtain an introduction from someone and perhaps ask them to alert the editor that you are going to be in touch.
  • Night owls belie slacker reputation by staying alert longer.
  • She looks good, bright eyed and alert and she enjoyed the bath.
  • Even the plainclothes police keeping an eye on things from the tea stall across the street look more alert.
  • Overnight, government volcanologists have raised the alert to its highest level.
British Dictionary definitions for alert

alert

/əˈlɜːt/
adjective (usually postpositive)
1.
vigilantly attentive: alert to the problems
2.
brisk, nimble, or lively
noun
3.
an alarm or warning, esp a siren warning of an air raid
4.
the period during which such a warning remains in effect
5.
on the alert
  1. on guard against danger, attack, etc
  2. watchful; ready: on the alert for any errors
verb (transitive)
6.
to warn or signal (troops, police, etc) to prepare for action
7.
to warn of danger, an attack, etc
Derived Forms
alertly, adverb
alertness, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Italian all'erta on the watch, from erta lookout post, from ergere to build up, from Latin ērigere; see erect
Word Origin and History for alert
adv.

"on the watch," 1590s, from French alerte "vigilant" (17c.), from phrase à l'erte "on the watch," from Italian all'erta "to the height," from erta "lookout, high tower," noun use of fem. of erto, past participle of ergere "raise up," from Latin erigere "raise" (see erect). The adjective is attested from 1610s, the noun from 1803, and the verb from 1868. Related: Alerted; alerting.

alert in Technology

operating system
/*'l*rt/ An audible and/or visual message intended to inform a system's users or administrators about a change in the operating conditions of that system or about some kind of error condition. In a graphical user interface, an alert would typically be displayed as a small window containing the message and a button to click to dismiss the window.
(1999-03-29)

Related Abbreviations for alert

ALERT

Allergy to Latex Education and Resource Team
Idioms and Phrases with alert

alert

see: on the alert