(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you are ~, you are paying full attention to things around you and are able to deal with anything that might happen.
We all have to stay ~...
He had been spotted by an ~ neighbour.
= attentive
ADJ
~ness
The drug improved mental ~ness.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
If you are ~ to something, you are fully aware of it.
The bank is ~ to the danger.
ADJ: v-link ADJ to n
3.
An ~ is a situation in which people prepare themselves for something dangerous that might happen soon.
Due to a security ~, this train will not be stopping at Oxford Circus.
N-COUNT
4.
If you ~ someone to a situation, especially a dangerous or unpleasant situation, you tell them about it.
He wanted to ~ people to the activities of the group...
I was hoping he’d ~ the police.
VERB: V n to n, V n
5.
see also red ~
6.
If soldiers or police are on ~, they are ready to deal with anything that may happen.
Soldiers and police have been put on ~.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR
7.
If you are on the ~ for something, you are ready to deal with it if it happens.
They want to be on the ~ for similar buying opportunities.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR