Alert Meaning and Definition
Alert
Pronunciation
/ˈɔːlərt/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A message or signal that warns people of a potential problem or danger, typically through a loud sound, flashing light, or notice.
Examples
1. “She received an alert on her phone about a possible tornado warning.”
2. “The fire alarm sounded as an alert to evacuate the building.”
Synonyms
1. Warning
2. Notification
Antonyms
1. Silence
2. Indifference
Etymology
The word “alert” has its origins in the Old French word “altier,” meaning “to raise up,” and the Latin word “alertus,” meaning “watchful.” It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe a state of being vigilant or watchful.
Usage Notes
The word “alert” can be used in a variety of contexts, including in emergency situations, in everyday conversation, and in formal announcements.
For example: “We should be aware of our surroundings to stay alert in the city at night.” or “The company sent out an alert to its customers about a possible data breach.”
Cultural References
The word “alert” has been used in popular culture in various forms, including in movies, TV shows, and music.
For example: In the movie “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” the character Spock says “Alert status, Captain.” or In the TV show “Law & Order,” the characters refer to an “alert” to describe a high-priority case.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
A few common idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word “alert” are:
1. alert and eager: being enthusiastic and attentive.
2. alert to dangers: being aware of potential risks or threats.
Collocations
Common collocations with the term “alert” include:
1. alert system
2. alert level
3. alert message
Frequency of Use
The word “alert” is relatively common in modern language, particularly in contexts related to safety, security, and notification.
According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the word “alert” appears in about 1.3% of all written texts, making it a moderate-frequency term.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of the word “alert” include:
alrt, alret, alret, altert
Additional Information
Alerts can be sent through various media, including text messages, emails, phone calls, and social media notifications.
They are often used in emergency situations, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or fires, to warn people of potential dangers.
Alerts can also be used in non-emergency situations, such as to notify people of schedule changes, product recalls, or service disruptions.
Effective alerts should be clear, concise, and actionable, providing recipients with the necessary information to take appropriate action.