Meaning & use
alarm
Last updated
A device or signal that warns of danger or draws attention to a problem, or a feeling of fear caused by sudden danger.
See it in a sentence
The smoke alarm went off in the middle of the night.
She looked up in alarm when she heard the crash.
A note on using this word
From Italian 'all'arme,' literally 'to arms,' originally a military call to seize weapons.
Words with a similar meaning
alertwarning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To cause someone to feel frightened or anxious about a possible danger.
The news alarmed the entire community.
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