alarm
A machine that makes a loud sound to warn you or to tell you it is time for something.
A device that makes a loud sound or visual signal to warn of danger or to indicate a set time.
A sudden strong feeling of fear or worry because something bad might happen.
A sudden feeling of fear, anxiety, or concern caused by the awareness of danger or trouble.
To make someone suddenly feel fear or worry.
To make someone suddenly feel afraid, worried, or anxious.
- Base: alarm
- Plural: alarm, alarms
- Base: alarm
- 3rd Person Singular: alarms
- Present Participle: alarming
- Past: alarmed
raise the alarm
1Warn others about danger
To tell people there is danger so they can act quickly.
- A villager raised the alarm when he saw smoke coming from the forest.
- She raised the alarm after noticing the intruder in the building.
set off an alarm
1Make an alarm start working
To cause a warning device to start making noise or giving a signal.
- Opening that door will set off the alarm.
- The burglars set off the car alarm as they tried to break in.
sound the alarm
1Start an alarm or give warning
To make an alarm start making noise, or to tell people about danger publicly.
- The guard sounded the alarm when he saw the fire.
- Scientists are sounding the alarm about climate change.
false alarm
1Untrue warning or alert
A warning or call for help that turns out not to be real.
- We evacuated the building, but it was a false alarm.
- The smoke turned out to be from a barbecue—it was a false alarm.
- The smoke detector went off, but it was just a false alarm.
- We evacuated for nothing; it was a false alarm.