Alarm
/əˈlɑːrm/
nounBeginnerVery CommonTechnology
Idiom
Meanings
Question
Definitions
2 meanings1
A device that warns of danger or trouble.
/əˈlɑːrm/
nounneutralBeginner
Technology
A warning signal
The fire alarm blared loudly.
💡 Simply: Something that warns you.
More Examples
2
The car alarm scared the neighborhood.
How It's Used
Security
"The burglar alarm went off."
Everyday life
"He set his alarm clock for 6 a.m."
2
To make someone feel worried or frightened.
/əˈlɑːrm/
verbnegativeBeginner
General
To cause alarm or anxiety
The sudden noise alarmed the children.
💡 Simply: To scare or worry someone.
More Examples
2
The doctor's diagnosis alarmed the patient.
How It's Used
News reporting
"The news alarmed the public."
Tip:To 'alarm' someone is to make their 'arms' raise in fright.
Idioms & expressions
raise the alarm
To warn others of danger or trouble.
"He raised the alarm when he saw the fire."
From Old French *alarme, from Italian all'arme ('to arms!'), from all' ('to the') + arme ('arms').
The word's original meaning emphasized a call to arms, reflecting its military origins.
Memory tip
Think of 'arm' - an alarm is like an arm raising to signal danger.
Practice
alrmalarnalaram
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written