alarming

[ uh-lahr-ming ]
/ əˈlɑr mɪŋ /

adjective

causing alarm or fear: an alarming case of pneumonia; an alarming lack of respect.

Origin of alarming

First recorded in 1670–80; alarm + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM alarming

a·larm·ing·ly, adverb un·a·larm·ing, adjective un·a·larm·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for alarming (2 of 2)

alarm
[ uh-lahrm ]
/ əˈlɑrm /

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of alarm

1350–1400; Middle English alarme, alarom < Middle French < Old Italian allarme, noun from phrase all'arme to (the) arms. See arm2

synonym study for alarm

1. See fear. 8. See frighten.

OTHER WORDS FROM alarm

a·larm·a·ble, adjective a·larm·ed·ly [uh-lahr-mid-lee] /əˈlɑr mɪd li/, adverb pre·a·larm, verb (used with object), noun un·a·larmed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for alarming

British Dictionary definitions for alarming

alarm
/ (əˈlɑːm) /

verb (tr)

noun

Derived forms of alarm

alarming, adjective alarmingly, adverb

Word Origin for alarm

C14: from Old French alarme, from Old Italian all'arme to arms; see arm ²

Idioms and Phrases with alarming

alarm

see false alarm.