alarm noun, verbBrE /əˈlɑːm/
NAmE /əˈlɑːrm/
noun
word origin
late Middle English (as an exclamation meaning ‘to arms!’): from Old French alarme, from Italian allarme, from all' arme! ‘to arms!’.
thesaurus
alarm noun1 [U]
a feeling of alarmfright 
fear panic
in alarm/fright/fear/panic alarm/fear/panic that…be filled with alarm/fear/panic2 [C]raise the alarmwarning alert | formal caution a flood/bomb/health warning/alertsound a/an alarm/warning/alert/note of caution3 [C, usually sing.]a burglar alarmsiren hornhear a/an alarm/siren/horn a/an alarm/siren/horn sounds 
synonyms
example bank
Carry a personal alarm with you and make sure you know how to use it.He loves spreading alarm and despondency.He shouted out in alarm.His face registered no alarm at all when I told him the news.I see no cause for alarm, as she often arrives late.I set my alarm for 6.30.Lizzie was carrying a rape alarm but it was out of reach in her handbag.Many birds give alarm calls to warn of danger.Many people have expressed alarm at the plans.Suddenly the alarm sounded and they all had to leave the building.The fire brigade recommends that every house is fitted with a smoke alarm.The fire service was called out, but it was a false alarm.The guard raised the alarm when he discovered that six prisoners had escaped.The head teacher's policies have provoked alarm among parents.The incident created serious public alarm.The news has been greeted with alarm.There has been considerable alarm about the new proposals.There is growing public alarm at this increase in crime.To her parents' alarm, she announced that she intended to travel the world.Unfortunately any little noise can set off the alarm.‘What have you done?’ Ellie cried in alarm.A car alarm went off in the middle of the night.All new houses must be fitted with a smoke alarm.I hammered on all the doors to raise the alarm.Soldier termites sound an alarm by beating their large heads on passage walls.The doctor said there was no cause for alarm.The earthquake set off burglar alarms throughout the city. 1 [uncountable] fear and anxiety that sb feels when sth dangerous or unpleasant might happen ‘What have you done?’ Ellie cried in alarm. I felt a growing sense of alarm when he did not return that night.The doctor said there was no cause for alarm. 2 [countable, usually singular] a loud noise or a signal that warns people of danger or of a problemShe decided to sound the alarm (= warn people that the situation was dangerous). I hammered on all the doors to raise the alarm.By the time the alarm was raised the intruders had escaped. 
see also false alarm 3 [countable] a device that warns people of a particular dangera burglar/fire/smoke alarm The cat set off the alarm (= made it start ringing). A car alarm went off in the middle of the night (= started ringing). 4 = alarm clockThe alarm went off at 7 o'clock.
aˈlarm bells ring/start ringingif you say that alarm bells are ringing, you mean that people are starting to feel worried and suspiciousThe government's proposal has set alarm bells ringing for people on low incomes.verb
verb forms
| present simple |
| I / you / we /they | alarm |
| BrE /əˈlɑːm/ |
| NAmE /əˈlɑːrm/ |
| he / she /it | alarms |
| BrE /əˈlɑːmz/ |
| NAmE /əˈlɑːrmz/ |
| past simple, past participle | alarmed |
| BrE /əˈlɑːmd/ |
| NAmE /əˈlɑːrmd/ |
| -ing form | alarming |
| BrE /əˈlɑːmɪŋ/ |
| NAmE /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/ |
word origin
late Middle English (as an exclamation meaning ‘to arms!’): from Old French alarme, from Italian allarme, from all' arme! ‘to arms!’.
thesaurus
alarm verb [T]It alarms me that no one takes this problem seriously.scare frighten startle worry trouble disturb concern botherIt alarms/scares/frightens/startles/worries/troubles/disturbs/concerns/bothers me that…It alarms/scares/frightens/startles/worries/troubles/disturbs/concerns/bothers me to think, see, etc. synonyms
frightenscare alarm terrifyThese words all mean to make sb afraid.
frighten to make sb feel afraid, often suddenly: He brought out a gun and frightened them off. scare to make sb feel afraid: They managed to scare the bears away. alarm to make sb anxious or afraid: It alarms me that nobody takes this problem seriously.
Alarm is used when sb has a feeling that sth unpleasant or dangerous might happen in the future; the feeling is often more one of worry than actual fear. terrify to make sb feel extremely afraid: Flying terrified her.frighten or scare?Scare is slightly more informal than frighten.to frighten/scare sb/sth away/offto frighten/scare/terrify sb into doing sthIt frightens/scares/alarms/terrifies me that…It frightens/scares/alarms/terrifies me to think, see, etc. example bank
It alarms me that nobody takes this problem seriously.The captain knew there was a problem but didn't want to alarm the passengers. 1 ~ sb to make sb anxious or afraid 
worryThe captain knew there was an engine fault but didn't want to alarm the passengers. 2 ~ sth to fit sth such as a door with a device that warns people when sb is trying to enter illegally
