B2 adjective Neutral

alarm

/əˈlɑːrmd/

Describing a state of being worried, frightened, or concerned that something dangerous or unpleasant is happening. It is typically used to characterize a person's reaction to sudden bad news or a potential threat.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I was alarmed to see how much weight he had lost since our last meeting.

I was alarmed to see how much weight he had lost since our last meeting.

2

The government is deeply alarmed by the recent increase in inflation rates.

The government is deeply alarmed by the recent increase in inflation rates.

3

Don't look so alarmed; it’s just a harmless spider.

Don't look so alarmed; it’s just a harmless spider.

Word Family

Noun
alarm
Verb
alarm
Adverb
alarmingly
Adjective
alarmed
Related
alarmist
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Memory Tip

Think of an 'alarm' clock going off unexpectedly; the feeling you have when you jump out of bed is being 'alarmed'.

Quick Quiz

The residents were ______ by the smell of smoke coming from the basement.

Correct!

The correct answer is: alarmed

Examples

1

I was alarmed to see how much weight he had lost since our last meeting.

everyday

I was alarmed to see how much weight he had lost since our last meeting.

2

The government is deeply alarmed by the recent increase in inflation rates.

formal

The government is deeply alarmed by the recent increase in inflation rates.

3

Don't look so alarmed; it’s just a harmless spider.

informal

Don't look so alarmed; it’s just a harmless spider.

4

Environmental scientists are increasingly alarmed at the rate of glacial retreat.

academic

Environmental scientists are increasingly alarmed at the rate of glacial retreat.

5

Stakeholders were alarmed by the CEO's sudden decision to resign.

business

Stakeholders were alarmed by the CEO's sudden decision to resign.

Word Family

Noun
alarm
Verb
alarm
Adverb
alarmingly
Adjective
alarmed
Related
alarmist

Common Collocations

deeply alarmed deeply alarmed
alarmed at alarmed at
alarmed by alarmed by
look alarmed look alarmed
increasingly alarmed increasingly alarmed

Common Phrases

sound the alarm

sound the alarm

false alarm

false alarm

alarm bells ringing

alarm bells ringing

Often Confused With

alarm vs alarming

Alarming describes the cause (the news was alarming), while alarmed describes the person's feeling (I was alarmed by the news).

alarm vs alert

Alert means being watchful and ready to act, whereas alarmed focuses on the feeling of fear or worry.

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Usage Notes

The adjective 'alarmed' is most commonly followed by the prepositions 'at' or 'by'. It can also be followed by a 'to-infinitive' or a 'that-clause'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the base noun 'alarm' when they should use the participial adjective 'alarmed' to describe a person's feelings.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of an 'alarm' clock going off unexpectedly; the feeling you have when you jump out of bed is being 'alarmed'.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old French phrase 'à l'arme', literally meaning 'to arms!' or 'to your weapons!'.

Grammar Patterns

alarmed + at/by + noun alarmed + to find/see/hear alarmed + that + clause

Quick Quiz

The residents were ______ by the smell of smoke coming from the basement.

Correct!

The correct answer is: alarmed

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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