B2verbtechnologycrime
US/əˈlɜːrt/
UK/əˈlɜːt/
to warn someone about a danger or problem, or tell them about something important
In context
A neighbor smelled smoke and alerted the fire department.
The app alerts you when your bank account balance is low.
Doctors are trying to alert people to the dangers of vaping.
Words that go with alert
verb + preposition
- alert someone toThe guide alerted us to pickpockets near the market.
verb + noun
- alert the policeStaff alerted the police when they saw the stranger.
- alert the authoritiesFishermen alerted the authorities about the oil in the water.
- alert usersThe phone alerts users before the battery runs out.
adverb + verb
- immediately alertThe system will immediately alert the manager if a door opens.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
They alerted about the storm to us.Correct: They alerted us to the storm.