alarm

Plural: alarms

Noun

fear resulting from the awareness of danger
a device that signals the occurrence of some undesirable event
an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger
a clock that wakes a sleeper at some preset time
A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger.
A device intended to warn or give notice of approaching danger.
A sudden attack; a disturbance.
Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.
A mechanical device for awaking people, or rousing their attention.
An instance of an alarm ringing, beeping or clanging, to give a noise signal at a certain time.

Verb

Verb Forms: alarmed, alarming, alarms

To cause someone to feel frightened, anxious, or threatened.
fill with apprehension or alarm; cause to be unpleasantly surprised
warn or arouse to a sense of danger or call to a state of preparedness
- "The empty house alarmed him"
To call to arms for defense.
To give (someone) notice of approaching danger or necessary action; to rouse to vigilance; to put on the alert.
To produce a warning of approaching danger or necessary action; to emit a signal intended to rouse a recipient to vigilance or put them on the alert.
To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.
To keep in excitement; to disturb.

Examples

I don’t mean to alarm you, but I have a bingo on my rack.
The clock radio is a friendlier version of the cold alarm by the bedside.
The fire alarm is located high on the wall to prevent tampering.
You should set the alarm on your watch to go off at seven o'clock.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English alarme, alarom, borrowed from Middle French alarme, itself from Old Italian all'arme! (“to arms!, to the weapons!”), ultimately from Latin arma (“arms, weapons”).

Synonyms

alarm clock, alarm system, alarum, alert, appal, appall, consternation, dismay, horrify, warning device, warning signal

Scrabble Score: 7

alarm: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
alarm: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
alarm: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

alarm: valid Words With Friends Word