alert Use the word "alert" to describe situations in which a person is thinking clearly or is fully awake. There’s an awareness of what’s happening: - Alicia feels alert after a few cups of coffee in the morning.
- Ted doesn’t feel very alert today. He’s tired.
- Alert customers know when things go on sale.
- Are you alert right now? Are you paying attention?
"Alert" is also a noun. In this case, it’s similar to the noun "alarm." - The police are on the alert for someone who has been breaking into houses in this area.
- An alert was sent to parents telling them that the school was on lock down.
- When the sky turned black, I turned on the TV to see if there was an alert for a tornado.
- I need your attention! There’s an alert.
As a verb, "alert" is similar to "tell" or "inform." - We noticed something unusual about a passenger on the train and alerted the conductor.
- You should alert the police if you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
A gazelle must be alert for hungry predators at all times.
Click here to go to the Word of the Day page. This page was first published on May 9, 2012. It was updated on February 1, 2016. |