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   a·lert

   /əˈlərt/

   adjective

   • 1. quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances; vigilant: "an alert police officer discovered a truck full of explosives" Similar vigilanthypervigilantwide awakeawarewatchfulattentiveobservantcircumspectwarycharyheedfulcannyon the lookouton one's guardon one's toesall earskeeping one's eyes open/peeledkeeping a weather eye openon the qui viveOpposite inattentive
   • ▪ able to think clearly; intellectually active: "she remained active and alert until well into her eighties" Similar quick-wittedsharpbrightquickkeenperceptivewide awakeresponsiveagileacuteastuteinformal:on the ballon one's toesquick off the markquick on the uptakeall therewith itbright-eyed and bushy-tailedOpposite slow

   noun

   • 1. the state of being watchful for possible danger: "security forces were placed on alert" Similar vigilancewatchfulnesscarefulnessattentivenessguardednesscarecautioncautiousnesswarinesscharinessalertnesshypervigilancecircumspectionprudenceheedfulnessheedmindfulnessOpposite carelessness
   • ▪ an announcement or signal warning of danger: "a bomb alert" Similar warningcautionnotificationnoticeexhortationinjunctionsirenalarmsignaldanger signaldistress signal
   • ▪ a period of vigilance in response to a warning of danger: "traffic was halted during the alert"
   • ▪ a signal on an electronic device that prompts the user to do something or attracts their attention: "a vibrating alert is a discreet alternative to ringtones"

   verb

   • 1. warn (someone) of a danger, threat, or problem, typically with the intention of having it avoided or dealt with: "he alerted people to the dangers of smoking"

   Word Origin late 16th century (originally in military use): from French alerte, from Italian all' erta ‘to the watchtower’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. alertly adverb

   Scrabble Points: 5

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   • L

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   • E

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