What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
siren
Example
The police car's siren was blaring as it sped down the street. [siren: noun]
Example
The factory has a siren that goes off when there's a chemical spill. [siren: noun]
Example
The sailors were entranced by the siren's song and crashed their ship on the rocks. [siren: noun]
alarm
Example
I set my alarm for 6 am so I can wake up early. [alarm: noun]
Example
The fire alarm went off, and everyone had to evacuate the building. [alarm: noun]
Example
The news of the impending storm set off alarm bells in the community. [alarm: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alarm is more commonly used than siren in everyday language. Alarm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while siren is less common and is typically associated with emergency situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between siren and alarm?
Both siren and alarm can be used in formal and informal contexts, depending on the setting and situation. However, alarm is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while siren is typically associated with emergency situations and may be more informal in other contexts.
