alarm1 nounalarm2 verb
alarma‧larm1 /əˈlɑːm $ əˈlɑːrm/ ●●● S2 noun 
WORD ORIGINalarm1
Origin:
1500-1600 French alarme, from Old Italian all' arme ‘to the weapon’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Several oil-producing countries expressed alarm at the fall in prices.
- The bank teller pushed the alarm button.
- An alarm went off in his head as it occurred to him what a sitting target he was in his Baby.
- Fred Goodyear was so shocked that it was more than eight hours before he raised the alarm.
- It sounds like a fire alarm and enters my ears like a keening mosquito that I can not reach.
- She closed the door behind him, put her rape alarm back on the bedside table, and there they were.
- Some of the girls squealed in alarm.
- Some of them had noticed the sea-fret by now and had jumped up in alarm.
- The Big Three began sounding the alarm in a big way when January sales figures were reported.
THESAURUS
a feeling of being frightened: · He was trembling with fear.· Fear of failure should not stop you trying.
a feeling of great fear, because you think that something terrible is about to happen: · She let out a scream of pure terror.
a sudden feeling of fear, or a situation that makes you feel this: · My body was shaking with fright.· You gave me a fright!· He’s had a bit of fright, that’s all.
a sudden feeling of fear or nervousness that makes you unable to think clearly or behave sensibly: · She was in such a panic that she hardly knew what she was doing!· There were scenes of sheer panic immediately following the bomb blast.
a feeling of fear or worry which shows in your voice or behaviour, because you think something bad might happen: · When I mentioned her name, he looked up at me in alarm.· The streets were calm and there was no sign of alarm.
a feeling that something bad or unpleasant might happen although there is no obvious reason why it should: · She felt the same sense of foreboding she had before her father died.
a permanent strong unreasonable fear of something: · I had a phobia about going to the dentist.
Longman Language Activatormaking you realize that something bad could happen: warn somebody (that) · Something warned Lucy that she must stop him.· The bleached bones of cattle warn the traveler how hot it can be in Death Valley.warn of · Dark clouds warned of the approaching storm.
if an event or fact is a warning , it shows that something bad could happen or is going to happen: · The story of the Titanic is a warning to anyone who trusts too much in their technology.· The only warning was a low rumbling sound.be a warning of: · Pain in the shoulder and arm can be a warning of a heart attack.
if something sets (the) alarm bells ringing it makes you realize that something seriously wrong or very dangerous is happening: · There were no lights on when I got home. That immediately set alarm bells ringing.· A brief study of the company's accounts set the alarm bells ringing -- there was no trace of the $56 million loan.
making you think that something bad has happened or is likely to happen soon: · Another wave crashed onto the deck and the mast made an ominous creaking sound.· Katy answered the phone. There was an ominous silence.something sounds ominous: · My manager asked for an appointment at nine o'clock on a Monday morning: it sounded ominous.
intended to or likely to warn you that something bad will happen if you continue to do something or do not do something: · Aunt Lou shot a warning glance at father just as he was about to speak.· He grabbed her pistol and fired a warning shot. The intruder ran back out into the hall. · From the trees there came a warning screech and the whole flock took to the air.
: cautionary tale/note something that provides a warning of something bad that could happen or a warning against particular actions or behaviour: · The rise and fall of this company is a cautionary tale for anyone investing in the property market.· The director ended her speech on a cautionary note, when she said that next year would be even harder than this year.
to warn someone about something to tell someone about something unpleasant or dangerous that might happen, so that they can avoid it or prevent it: · We tried to warn her, but she refused to listen.· The consequences could be serious - I just wanted to warn you.warn (that): · The local people were warned that the volcano might erupt at any time.· We were warned there were going to be delays on the motorway, so we came back by a different route.warn somebody about something especially spoken: · I was going for a swim, until the people in the hotel warned me about the jellyfish.warn (somebody) of something especially written: · Weather forecasters warned of possible flooding in coastal regions.warn somebody (not) to do something: · Police are warning drivers not to go out on the roads unless their journey is really necessary.warn somebody against doing something: · Tourists are warned against going to remoter regions.
to tell someone that if they continue to behave in an unsatisfactory way, they will be punished: · So you've given her a warning about her conduct in future?give sb a warning that: · The US gave a warning that, if the hostages were not released, they would be forced to take military action.give somebody a final warning: · One day Monica's boss gave her a final warning. If she messed up again, she was fired.
to try to prevent someone from doing something by warning them about the trouble or problems it could cause for them: warn somebody off: · The army had put signs up around the area where the mines were, to warn people off.warn somebody off doing something: · Even though we'd been warned off going into the mountains, we couldn't resist it.warn off somebody: · The female rattlesnake warns off intruders by making a loud noise.
formal to warn someone not to do something because it is likely to be dangerous or have a bad result: · "Be careful now," Sarah cautioned. "Don't do anything stupid."caution somebody against doing something: · The policeman cautioned the children against talking to strangers.caution against (doing) something: · Marshall cautioned against pouring millions of pounds into taking legal action when there was no guarantee of victory.
to warn someone about something that is going to happen, especially to warn the police about a crime, so that they can try to prevent it: be tipped off about: · The police had been tipped off about the gang's arrival.be tipped off that: · Customs officers had been tipped off that the drugs were hidden in a child's rucksack.tip somebody off: · Someone must have tipped the press off about the princess's visit. tip off somebody: · A farmer noticed our foreign accents and tipped off the Security Police.
to officially or publicly warn people of possible danger so that they can be ready to deal with it: · When he realized that one engine was not working, the pilot alerted air traffic control.alert somebody to something: · a poster campaign to alert people to the diseasealert somebody that: · Drivers are being alerted that an escaped prisoner has been seen hitch-hiking on the road to Frankfurt.
to warn everyone about something bad or dangerous that is already happening so that they can take action to stop it or avoid it: · Leighton was told to stand at the door, and to raise the alarm if a guard came.sound/raise the alarm about: · The Red Cross has sounded the alarm about the danger of further famine in the region.· The problem is that if you sound the alarm about fraud in your company, you might end up out of a job.
formal to warn someone about something bad that is going to happen soon, so that they have enough time to prepare for it: · Barry Hearn forewarned me that the meeting was going to be tough.be forewarned of something: · A police team, forewarned of the raid, had taken up positions inside the bank.
spoken say this when you had warned someone about a possible danger that has now happened, especially if they ignored your warning: · I told you he had a violent temper! Why did you argue with him?· I told you so! It was obvious she was going to disappear as soon as she got the money.· I hate to say "I told you so", but maybe you should listen to me next time.
WORD SETSAD, advance, verbafter, prepositionafternoon, nounalarm, nounalarm clock, nouna.m., Anno Domini, annual, adjectiveApril, nounAsh Wednesday, nounAug., August, nounautumn, nounautumnal, adjectivebank holiday, nounBC, BCE, biannual, adjectivebicentenary, nounbicentennial, nounbiennial, adjectivebimonthly, adjectivebirthday, nounbiweekly, adjectivebonfire night, nounBoxing Day, nounBritish Summer Time, nounBST, nouncalendar, nouncalendar month, nouncalendar year, nouncarriage clock, nouncentenary, nouncentury, nounChristmas, nounChristmas Day, nounChristmas Eve, nounChristmastime, nounchronograph, nounchronological, adjectivechronometer, nouncircadian, adjectiveclock, nouncrystal, nouncuckoo clock, nouncycle, nouncyclic, adjectivedaily, adjectivedaily, adverbdate, noundate, verbdawn, nounday, nounDec., decade, nounDecember, noundiamond anniversary, noundiamond jubilee, noundinnertime, noundiurnal, adjectived.o.b., due date, noundusk, nounface, nounFather's Day, nounfeast, nounFebruary, nounfortnightly, adjectiveFourth of July, the, Fri., Friday, nounGood Friday, nounGreenwich Mean Time, nounGregorian calendar, nounguy, nounGuy Fawkes Night, nounhalf-hourly, adjectivehalf-yearly, adjectiveHalloween, nounhand, nounHanukkah, nounharvest festival, nounHogmanay, nounhorn, nounhour, nounhourglass, nounhour hand, nounhr, Independence Day, nounJan., January, nounjubilee, nounJuly, nounJune, nounLabor Day, nounleap year, nounlunar month, nounmainspring, nounman-hour, nounMar., March, nounMardi Gras, nounmarket day, nounMaundy Thursday, nounMay, nounMay Day, nounMichaelmas, nounmidday, nounmiddle age, nounmiddle-aged, adjectivemidnight, nounMidsummer Day, nounmidweek, adjectivemillennium, nounmin., minute hand, nounMon., Monday, nounmonth, nounmorn, nounmorning, nounMothering Sunday, nounMother's Day, nounmovable feast, nounnew moon, nounNew Year, nounNew Year's Day, nounNew Year's Eve, nounnight, nounnightfall, nounnighttime, nounnocturnal, adjectiveNoel, nounnoon, nounnoonday, adjectiveNov., November, nounOct., October, nounp.a., Pancake Day, nounPDT, penultimate, adjectiveper annum, adverbper diem, adverbperiodic, adjectivep.m., PST, public holiday, nounquarter, nounquotidian, adjectiveRemembrance Day, nounSat., Saturday, nounschoolday, nounseason, nounsecond, nounsecond hand, nounself-winding, adjectiveSeptember, nounshockproof, adjectivesilver anniversary, nounsilver jubilee, nounsilver wedding anniversary, nounsolar year, nounsolstice, nounspring, nounspringtime, nounstandard time, nounstopwatch, nounsummer, nounsummer solstice, nounsummertime, nounsummery, adjectiveSun., Sunday, nounsundown, nounsunrise, nounsunset, nounsun-up, nountercentenary, nounThanksgiving, nounthirty, numberThursday, nountime, nountime, verbtimepiece, nountimer, nountime signal, nountime warp, nountime zone, nountoday, adverbtoday, nountomorrow, adverbtomorrow, nountonight, adverbtonight, nountriennial, adjectiveTuesday, nountwilight, nounWed., Wednesday, nounweek, nounweekday, nounweekend, nounweekly, adjectiveweeknight, nounWhit, nounWhitsun, nounwinter, nounwintertime, nounwk., wristwatch, nounyear, nounyesterday, adverbyr., Yule, nounYuletide, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYADJECTIVES/NOUN + alarm
We were in the middle of an exam when the fire alarm went off. Someone set off the fire alarm. Businesses come and go with alarming frequency. Our team kept losing with monotonous regularity (=in a way that seems boring or annoying). Now it is an American economist who is sounding the alarm. She was unable to sound the alarm. The burglars fled after triggering the alarm.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Neighbours heard the burglar alarm and called the police.
· The house has a system of security alarms.
· A fire alarm went off and the building had to be evacuated.
(=for when someone tries to steal a car)· I was woken by a car alarm in the middle of the night.
(=for when a baby wakes up and cries)· Is the baby alarm switched on?
(=that you carry with you in case you are attacked)· If you are nervous, invest in a personal alarm.
alarm + NOUN· He hit the alarm button under the desk.
· an electronic burglar alarm system
verbs (=make it start ringing)· A window blew open, setting off the alarm.
(=make it ready to operate)· Did you set the burglar alarm?
(also an alarm sounds formal)· The thieves fled when an alarm went off.
· I entered the shop and switched off the alarm.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Environmental issues are causing widespread concern.
(=rings at a particular time)· What time do you want the alarm clock to go off tomorrow?
(=that makes a noise to wake you up)· He forgot to set his alarm clock.
We were in the middle of an exam when the fire alarm went off. Someone set off the fire alarm. Businesses come and go with alarming frequency.· She was secretly appalled at the prospect of being looked after by her aunt.
· The alarming rate of increase in pollution levels has concerned environmentalists.
Our team kept losing with monotonous regularity (=in a way that seems boring or annoying). (=a signal showing that there is danger)· Managers should keep a watchful eye open for the danger signals.
Now it is an American economist who is sounding the alarm. She was unable to sound the alarm.· A new alarm system has been installed.
· I have detected a worrying trend of late.
The burglars fled after triggering the alarm.· But the patient was okay, it was a false alarm, please thank them and send them on their way.· Washington area police also responded to dozens of calls for suspicious packages, all of which turned out to be false alarms.· I had been released on a false alarm.· The Tavares Fire Department also receives false alarms -- 211 last year.· Of 221 launches in answer to unidentified distress signals 216 turned out to be false alarms or hoax calls.· Those genes would produce a harmless protein that, once inside the body, would sound the false alarm of infection.· There have been several false alarms in the tabloids, but at the end of 1986 reporters thought they had a scoop.· Your apprehension is based on the fear that the change might be a false alarm.
· The following year there was even greater alarm in Britain.· Well, it was then that I was attacked from another quarter and awakened to the greatest possible alarm.· When this order first went out there was great alarm and feeling that it was to tax Christenings, Weddings and Burials.· The thing that interested him most, however, was the rope of the great alarm bell on the roof.
NOUN· If the adviser wants you to make out a cheque to him, the alarm bells should start ringing.· First sight of the bailiff's officer the alarm bell would ring out the strikers' angelus.· Even so, alarm bells are beginning to sound at Westminster.· Then he ran up the rope of the alarm bell.· Her flesh cried out to be closer, and, with the last vestiges of sanity, alarm bells rang.· A loud alarm bell rang out soundly and he awoke from a trance.· What is surprising is that alarm bells within the bank did not bring action earlier.· Some of these issues set off fewer alarm bells today and perhaps for most of us they are of less social concern.
· Ultrasonics technology is used in certain burglar alarm systems which trigger on detecting the sound of breaking glass.· We repair to the kitchen and blithely set off the burglar alarm searching for the cat to cuddle.· She was woken early this morning by a burglar alarm.· He said I should have more adequate protection than a burglar alarm.· A new burglar alarm and ventilation system have been fitted.· By the time the burglar alarms had alerted staff the birds were gone.· It was reported, in Baberton Mains, that a special offer for the installation of burglar alarms had been made.· Great Caesar; a burglar alarm.
· The alarm call stimulates other nearby blackbirds to take evasive action.· Last year, the city received 914 alarm calls, 703 of which were false, according to city records.· There would be an advantage in giving an alarm call that is difficult to locate.· In the first gray dawn, I heard the alarm calls of robins.· I usually get an alarm call ... No comment.· The young of many species take cover as soon as an alarm call is given.· If any move is made by the army in the tribal areas, the result could be an alarm call to Kabul.· There's no extra cash to pay for the search; fire chiefs are just hoping their alarm call is answered.
· She breaks the window of the black car - and the car alarm goes off!· If car alarms are useless, why do they sell so well?· Down among the orange lamps a broken car alarm marked out the time.· Why should car alarms be exempt?· Have you ever noticed the response when a car alarm goes off in a busy street?· In my San Francisco neighborhood, some one has a car alarm.· He set the car alarm, and went up to the door.
· A grateful Di rewarded him with expensive presents - including a diamond-studded tie-pin and a gold and silver alarm clock.· One matching baby-blue Samsonite hatbox, containing my shoes, portable alarm clock, and toilet articles.· A neighbour had made sure he was awake; there was no alarm clock at home.· He must have gone to sleep at last for the next thing he heard was his alarm clock.· Maggie glanced at her alarm clock, but couldn't make out the time.· But her eye caught her bedside alarm clock and she pulled herself properly into wakefulness.· Jonny takes swigs from a water bottle and times his work with an alarm clock.· Just before the alarm clock rang at five, I conceived how it might be done.
· He came up with the electric clock, a form of fire alarm, a railway signal and a loudspeaker.· In the middle of the night, the fire alarm sounds, and we awaken.· Sounding of fire alarm. 2.· It sounds like a fire alarm and enters my ears like a keening mosquito that I can not reach.· Mr Small said fire alarms were installed and special voice tapes would tell people to leave the premises.· The entire house lights up when a burglar or fire alarm is triggered.· The fire alarm went off that evening - Tuesday, November 24.· Thousands of blacks swarmed into the streets, attacking policemen, pulling fire alarms, smashing windows, and looting stores.
· Your intruder alarm must be set whenever the Home is left without a responsible person in attendance. 4.· Your intruder alarm must not be altered or replaced without our prior written agreement. 6.
· Smoking a cigarette will not normally set off a smoke alarm.· He didn't have a smoke alarm.· If possible read the manufacturer's information and instructions before you buy a smoke alarm.· There are two basic types of smoke alarm.· Most smoke alarms have a test button which sets off the alarm when pressed.· Of course, you will need to go on taking basic fire safety precautions even when smoke alarms are fitted in your home.· The couple say that their smoke alarm, provided by the council, wasn't working.
· A minute or so before the explosion, an alarm sounds.· In the middle of the night, the fire alarm sounds, and we awaken.
· Ultrasonics technology is used in certain burglar alarm systems which trigger on detecting the sound of breaking glass.· For automotive buffs, there was an array of navigational devices and sophisticated alarm systems.· We have told them about my alarm system, and they would do something if they heard it.· Many cities require registration of alarm systems, provide for a warning process, fine violators and authorize disconnection of alarm systems.· The factory had no fire escapes or alarm system.· Many cities require registration of alarm systems, provide for a warning process, fine violators and authorize disconnection of alarm systems.· No wonder they didn't need lights, the alarm system was warning enough.· They have an alarm system, man.
VERB· We also established that a similar sum had been paid in through our Strangeways Branch although this had not caused any alarm.· Only during the night... the picket lines being close together, the firing of the skirmishers caused frequent alarms.· First it was the different forms of hepatitis virus which caused alarm.· There had been only one moment to cause her any undue alarm.· Both Dames Elizabeth and Martha were deaf, so whatever you said or how you said it would not cause any alarm.· A case that caused some alarm in 1908, however, revealed that revolvers could also fall into the hands of youths.· Speaking personally, for now, it's always cause for alarm, when they spin round - whatever they look like.· All this has caused alarm in the third world, particularly among its autocrats.
· A great shadow swooped in, the Stork bucked wildly and Farber cried out in alarm.
· Yamaha is also offering an optional factory-fitted alarm and a U-lock to fill that space under the seat.· The Honda has metallic paint as standard while Rover fits an anti-theft alarm with engine immobiliser as standard.· So, to provide ample warning, fit smoke alarms.· It could fit mains-powered alarms, but that would mean putting up rents.
· Yet paradoxically the bird is now giving serious cause for alarm to environmentalists because of a decline in the breeding population.· When approached underwater they give an alarm or warning signal consisting of a series of quite rapid and quite audible grunts.· The sores are usually relatively painless, and this procedure, like the urethral investigation, need give no cause for alarm.· Not a groan gave the alarm.· Individuals of many bird species give alarm calls when they spot a dangerous predator.· Mayli stared at him for just a second, then realised that the waiter would have given the alarm by now.· There would be an advantage in giving an alarm call that is difficult to locate.· There are a number of aspects about this privatisation which are already giving cause for alarm.
· Lorenzo Mancarelli hears the alarm and runs down to the road.· At night the neighborhood hummed with air-conditioners; no one would hear sirens or alarms.· And then he heard the automatic alarms.· In the first gray dawn, I heard the alarm calls of robins.· He must have gone to sleep at last for the next thing he heard was his alarm clock.· Next we hear shouts of alarm, and the footballers scatter, fleeing a shower of stones.· How many times do we hear the alarm now?· Consider the following brief passage: Mary heard the alarm and groaned inwardly, pulling the covers over her head.
· Will the Government look into a way to encourage car manufacturers to install alarm systems as standard equipment?· The thing is, hardly anybody installs a silent alarm these days, except as a supplementary sys-tem.
· And yesterday his heartbroken wife Jane slammed police for failing to find him after she raised the alarm 48 hours earlier.· The Romantics had raised the alarm about the disintegration in modern society of much that is essential to the full human experience.· Instead, he drove off and was later found dead by police after she raised the alarm.· Most suits are filed after the scientific community or the press has already raised alarms.· Mrs Gillis-Tweed raised the alarm from a neighbour's home.· The election results raised even more alarm in the West.· Shocked Andria raised the alarm then jumped in her own car and drove to a local beauty spot in Runnymede, Surrey.· Two cyclists eventually stopped and went off to raise the alarm.
· Smoking a cigarette will not normally set off a smoke alarm.· You also can't set alarms for events.· It is a radar detector which sets off an alarm if a ship, with radar working, is in the vicinity.· Some police agencies lock anklets on criminal suspects, convicts and parolees that set off an alarm if the person leaves home.· I set my alarm for 7.00 am.· His policies set off alarms all over Washington.· Some of these issues set off fewer alarm bells today and perhaps for most of us they are of less social concern.· Also, tell the security guard the office is empty so he can set the alarm.
· It will produce the hard data needed to analyse resource utilisation and will trigger an alarm mechanism allowing managers to control access.· When triggered, the alarm seems to call in squads of immune cells that surround tuberculosis bacteria and keep them from spreading.· Within one minute of being triggered, the alarm summons about 50 staff to the problem spot.· Control were trying to get hold of him, to verify that he had accidentally triggered his window alarm.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1- Fred Goodyear was so shocked that it was more than eight hours before he raised the alarm.
- He sounded the alarm and the train stopped at St-Pierre-des-Corps, near Tours.
- He was one of the earliest to sound the alarm about the fate of churches and their contents.
- Stewart dispatched a column sounding the alarm.
- The Big Three began sounding the alarm in a big way when January sales figures were reported.
- They have lost no time in sounding the alarm about an impending famine, which they say threatens 1.9m people.
- Volcanologist Pierce Brosnan and small-town mayor Linda Hamilton sound the alarm.
- When the First Lady looked in on him and discovered he was missing, she panicked and sounded the alarm.
- At Police Headquarters alarm bells rang in from government munition dumps, military vehicle compounds, hi-tech weapon factories and sweet shops.
- Between them, in their flight from the mill, they'd set all the alarm bells ringing at the local sub-station.
- But alarm bells rang when Allison wrote back in December.
- Her flesh cried out to be closer, and, with the last vestiges of sanity, alarm bells rang.
- Maybe when they didn't phone home, the alarm bells rang.
- More precisely, one complaint from a parent actually appeared, but this was enough to set alarm bells ringing.
- Nor had any alarm bells rung about Thomas.
- Fearing the bag might contain a bomb, a passenger raised the alarm.
- And yesterday his heartbroken wife Jane slammed police for failing to find him after she raised the alarm 48 hours earlier.
- Fred Goodyear was so shocked that it was more than eight hours before he raised the alarm.
- Instead, he drove off and was later found dead by police after she raised the alarm.
- Mrs Gillis-Tweed raised the alarm from a neighbour's home.
- Rex raised the alarm, and the entire crew rushed forward in the rain and darkness to try to limit the damage.
- Shocked Andria raised the alarm then jumped in her own car and drove to a local beauty spot in Runnymede, Surrey.
- The Romantics had raised the alarm about the disintegration in modern society of much that is essential to the full human experience.
- The scanner easily raises the alarm.
[countable] a piece of equipment that makes a loud noise to warn you of danger: I forgot to set the burglar alarm. Car alarms are always going off in the street. a sophisticated alarm system2[uncountable] a feeling of fear or worry because something bad or dangerous might happenalarm at There is growing alarm at the increase in crime.in alarm She looked up in alarm. Scientists have said there is no cause for alarm.► see thesaurus at fear3[countable] an alarm clock: I’ve set the alarm for 7 o'clock. I was still asleep when the alarm went off.4raise/sound the alarm especially British English to warn people that something bad is happening: Neighbours raised the alarm when they smelled smoke.5alarm bells ring if alarm bells ring, you feel worried that something bad may be happening: Alarm bells started to ring when he failed to return home. → false alarmCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + alarma burglar alarm· Neighbours heard the burglar alarm and called the police.an intruder/a security alarm· The house has a system of security alarms.a fire/smoke alarm· A fire alarm went off and the building had to be evacuated.a car alarm (=for when someone tries to steal a car)· I was woken by a car alarm in the middle of the night.a baby alarm (=for when a baby wakes up and cries)· Is the baby alarm switched on?a personal alarm (=that you carry with you in case you are attacked)· If you are nervous, invest in a personal alarm.alarm + NOUNan alarm button· He hit the alarm button under the desk.an alarm system· an electronic burglar alarm systemverbsset off/trigger/activate the alarm (=make it start ringing)· A window blew open, setting off the alarm.set the alarm (=make it ready to operate)· Did you set the burglar alarm?an alarm goes off (also an alarm sounds formal)· The thieves fled when an alarm went off.switch/turn off the alarm· I entered the shop and switched off the alarm.alarm1 nounalarm2 verb
alarmalarm2 ●●○ verb [transitive] VERB TABLE
alarm
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | alarm |
| he, she, it | alarms | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | alarmed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have alarmed |
| he, she, it | has alarmed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had alarmed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will alarm |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have alarmed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am alarming |
| he, she, it | is alarming | |
| you, we, they | are alarming | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was alarming |
| you, we, they | were alarming | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been alarming |
| he, she, it | has been alarming | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been alarming |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be alarming |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been alarming |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Many women are alarmed by suggestions of a link between the contraceptive pill and breast cancer.
- The damage to the marsh has alarmed environmentalists.
- We don't wish to alarm people unnecessarily, but it would be wise to avoid drinking the tap water here.
- However, a resurgence of working-class agitation during 1833-4 alarmed the Whig government and the propertied classes in general.
- It was also couched in language designed to satisfy or at least not to alarm a multitude of constituencies at home.
- Lieutenants Peel and Maloney succeeded in so alarming the men that they decided to march to join Paredes and the revolutionists.
- Meredith shrank back, alarmed by the unpleasant intention behind his expression.
- They came out of the last slopes of the Jebel without having alarmed anything more than a couple of herds of goats.
- This fish gives off a poisonous mucus from its mouth when alarmed.
THESAURUS
to make someone feel afraid: · The thought of being in court frightened him.
especially spoken to frighten someone. Scare is less formal than frighten, and is the usual word to use in everyday English: · He was driving fast just to scare us.· It scared him to think that his mother might never recover.
to make someone feel extremely frightened: · The idea of going down into the caves terrified her.· Robbers terrified bank staff by threatening them at gunpoint.
to make someone suddenly feel frightened in a way that makes their heart beat more quickly: · It gave me a terrible fright when I found him unconscious on the floor.
if a person or place gives you the creeps, they make you feel slightly frightened because they are strange: · This house gives me the creeps.
to frighten someone. Used when you suddenly see someone and did not know they were there, or when you suddenly hear something: · I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.· The noise startled him, and he dropped his glass on the floor.
to make someone feel frightened and worried that something bad might happen: · I didn’t want to alarm her by calling in the middle of the night.
to deliberately frighten someone, especially so that they will do what you want: · Many of the gangs were using dogs to intimidate people.
Longman Language Activatorto make someone feel frightened · Does the thought of death frighten you?· Take that silly mask off -- you're frightening the children.it frightens somebody to know/think etc · It frightens me to know that the rapist still hasn't been caught.frighten the life out of somebody (=make someone feel very frightened) · What are you doing creeping up on me like that? You frightened the life out of me!frighten somebody out of their wits (=make someone feel very frightened) · Film-makers have always known that one way to capture an audience is to frighten it out of its wits. frighten the (living) daylights out of somebody (=make someone feel very frightened) · Melissa spun round to see Eddie standing behind her. "You frightened the daylights out of me!" she gasped. "I never heard you come in."frighten somebody into doing something (=make someone do something by frightening them) · Their lawyers tried to frighten us into signing the contract.frighten somebody off/frighten off somebody (=frighten someone so that they go away or stop trying to do something) · The man pulled out a gun and managed to frighten off his attackers.
especially spoken to make someone feel frightened, especially by making them think something very unpleasant might happen: · He was driving fast just to scare us.· We're not really going to get arrested - I think the police are trying to scare us.it scares somebody to know/think etc: · It scared him to think that his mother might never recover.scare the hell out of somebody (=make someone feel very frightened) informal: · She scared the hell out of me when she said she had to go into hospital.scare the (living) daylights out of somebody (=make someone feel very frightened): · Don't creep up on me like that! You scared the living daylights out of me!
to make someone feel very frightened: · The idea of going down into the caves terrified her.· The teacher terrified her so much, that she hated going to school.· My uncle suffers from agoraphobia, and the idea of leaving the house terrifies him.it terrifies somebody to think/know etc: · It terrified him to think that, in six months' time, he would have to stand up in front of a class and teach them something.
to make someone suddenly feel frightened so that they make a sudden movement or their heart starts beating quickly: · He really gave me a fright when he phoned at that time of night.give somebody a hell of a fright (=make someone suddenly very frightened) informal: · I accidentally touched a live wire in the motor, and even though it didn't hurt me it gave me a hell of a fright.
to make people feel very worried about a possible danger: · We don't wish to alarm people unnecessarily, but it would be wise to avoid drinking the tap water here.· Many women are alarmed by suggestions of a link between the contraceptive pill and breast cancer.
if someone or something startles you, they frighten you because you see them suddenly or hear them when you did not know they were there: · I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.· The noise startled him, and he dropped his glass on the floor.· Any unexpected movements can startle the animal, so it must be approached slowly and steadily.
to suddenly surprise and frighten someone so that they make a sudden movement: · Sorry! I didn't mean to make you jump.· Something darted out from behind the hedge, and made me jump.
if a person or a place gives you the creeps , they make you feel slightly frightened and nervous because they are strange: · This house gives me the creeps - it's so dark and quiet.· I hate being left alone in the office with Graham - he gives me the creeps.
informal if something such as a story or account makes your hair stand on end it makes you very frightened: · Wait until I tell you about the murder -- it'll make your hair stand on end.· I've heard rumours about how Captain Crayshaw disciplines his crew... things to make your hair stand on end.
if a thought or experience sends shivers down your spine , it makes you feel very frightened especially because it involves someone or something that is very evil: · When you think of what happened in that house, it sends shivers down your spine.· Mere mention of his name is enough to send shivers down the spine of even the most battle-hardened fighter.
if a thought or experience makes your blood run cold , it shocks and frightens you because it is extremely cruel, violent, or dangerous: · The thought of ever returning to the prison makes his blood run cold. · The man stepped forward, and when Amelie saw him give a Nazi salute, it made her blood run cold.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We were in the middle of an exam when the fire alarm went off. Someone set off the fire alarm. Businesses come and go with alarming frequency. Our team kept losing with monotonous regularity (=in a way that seems boring or annoying). Now it is an American economist who is sounding the alarm. She was unable to sound the alarm. The burglars fled after triggering the alarm.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
· Environmental issues are causing widespread concern.
(=rings at a particular time)· What time do you want the alarm clock to go off tomorrow?
(=that makes a noise to wake you up)· He forgot to set his alarm clock.
We were in the middle of an exam when the fire alarm went off. Someone set off the fire alarm. Businesses come and go with alarming frequency.· She was secretly appalled at the prospect of being looked after by her aunt.
· The alarming rate of increase in pollution levels has concerned environmentalists.
Our team kept losing with monotonous regularity (=in a way that seems boring or annoying). (=a signal showing that there is danger)· Managers should keep a watchful eye open for the danger signals.
Now it is an American economist who is sounding the alarm. She was unable to sound the alarm.· A new alarm system has been installed.
· I have detected a worrying trend of late.
The burglars fled after triggering the alarm.· Four facts about car alarms: Fact 1: Buyers are not fully informed.· Cars, car alarms, roads, paving bricks...· The car is still alarmed when the car is started and the doors are locked.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
to make someone feel worried or frightened: - Fearing the bag might contain a bomb, a passenger raised the alarm.
- And yesterday his heartbroken wife Jane slammed police for failing to find him after she raised the alarm 48 hours earlier.
- Fred Goodyear was so shocked that it was more than eight hours before he raised the alarm.
- Instead, he drove off and was later found dead by police after she raised the alarm.
- Mrs Gillis-Tweed raised the alarm from a neighbour's home.
- Rex raised the alarm, and the entire crew rushed forward in the rain and darkness to try to limit the damage.
- Shocked Andria raised the alarm then jumped in her own car and drove to a local beauty spot in Runnymede, Surrey.
- The Romantics had raised the alarm about the disintegration in modern society of much that is essential to the full human experience.
- The scanner easily raises the alarm.
I don’t want to alarm you, but I can’t find the key.