alert
adjective
[ əˈləːt ]
• quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances; vigilant.
• "an alert police officer discovered a lorry full of explosive"
Similar:
vigilant,
wide awake,
aware,
watchful,
attentive,
observant,
circumspect,
wary,
chary,
heedful,
canny,
on the lookout,
on one's guard,
on one's toes,
all ears,
keeping one's eyes open/peeled,
keeping a weather eye open,
on the qui vive,
alert
noun
• the state of being watchful for possible danger.
• "security forces are on the alert for an upsurge in violence"
Similar:
vigilance,
watchfulness,
carefulness,
attentiveness,
guardedness,
care,
caution,
cautiousness,
wariness,
chariness,
alertness,
circumspection,
prudence,
heedfulness,
heed,
mindfulness,
alert
verb
• warn (someone) of a danger or problem.
• "he alerted people to the dangers of smoking"
Similar:
warn,
notify,
apprise,
caution,
put on one's guard,
forewarn,
put on the qui vive,
arouse,
tip off,
clue in,
put in the picture,
put wise,
Origin:
late 16th century (originally in military use): from French alerte, from Italian all' erta ‘to the watchtower’.
