What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
alarm
Example
The alarm went off, and everyone rushed out of the building. [alarm: noun]
Example
I felt a sense of alarm when I heard strange noises outside my window. [alarm: noun]
Example
He set his phone to alarm him every hour to remind him to drink water. [alarm: verb]
siren
Example
The police car's siren was blaring as it raced down the street. [siren: noun]
Example
The tornado siren warned us of the approaching storm. [siren: noun]
Example
She was a siren in a red dress, turning heads wherever she went. [siren: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alarm is a more common word than siren and is used in a wider range of contexts. Siren is more specific and is primarily used in emergency situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between alarm and siren?
Alarm is a neutral word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Siren is more commonly used in informal contexts and may have a negative connotation in some situations.
