alert

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
  2. noun a warning serves to make you more alert to danger
  3. noun an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger

Etymology

From French alerte (“alert”), from the phrase à l'erte (“on the watch”), from Italian all'erta (“to the height”), from erta (“lookout, tower”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

qui vive

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