ALERT
What does "ALERT" mean?
Watchful and ready to respond; or a warning of danger.
Meanings
- Quick to notice and respond; vigilant and attentive. After two coffees she felt sharp and alert.
- A warning signal or a state of readiness for danger. The weather service issued a flood alert.
- To warn or make aware of a danger or problem. A neighbor alerted us to the smoke.
Did you know?
- To be 'alert' is, etymologically, to be 'on the watchtower': the word comes from Italian 'all'erta', a sentry posted up on high ground.
Word origin
From Italian 'all'erta' (on the watch), literally 'to the height' or 'on the lookout', from 'erta' (a steep slope or watchtower); via French 'alerte' into English.
Remember it
ALERT contains 'ALE' then 'RT' - but stay alert, because one too many ALEs and you won't be.
A little poem
Sentry on the height-
every shadow a maybe,
every sound a yes.
haiku
Wordplay
- I bought a guard dog but it sleeps all day. The shop said it was alert - turns out it's just very on edge about that one specific watchtower.
What it teaches
Alertness is a sentry's gift: it costs energy to keep the watch, and the price of dozing is paid all at once.
Quick facts
What does ALERT mean?
Watchful and ready to respond; or a warning of danger.
Is ALERT a valid word?
Yes — ALERT is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is ALERT?
ALERT has 5 letters and 2 syllables.
Where does ALERT come from?
From Italian 'all'erta' (on the watch), literally 'to the height' or 'on the lookout', from 'erta' (a steep slope or watchtower); via French 'alerte' into English.
What can ALERT teach us?
Alertness is a sentry's gift: it costs energy to keep the watch, and the price of dozing is paid all at once.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.