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warn Definition

warn (wôrn)

transitive verb

  1. to tell (a person) of a danger, coming evil, misfortune, etc.; put on guard; caution
  2. to caution about certain acts; admonish warned against smoking in the building
  3. to notify in advance; inform
  4. to give notice to (a person) to stay or keep (off, away, etc.)

Etymology: ME warnien < OE wearnian < IE base *wer-, to heed > guard

intransitive verb

to give warning

warn Related Forms
warner noun
warn Synonyms

warn

v.

forewarn, caution, give notice, put on guard, give (fair) warning, signal, advise, alert, inform, apprise, notify, remind, forearm, prepare for the worst, offer a word of caution, admonish, counsel, exhort, enjoin, reprove, threaten, forbid, predict, prepare, remonstrate, urge, recommend, suggest, hint, put on one's guard, put on the alert, sound the alarm, give the alarm, put wise, make red lights flash*, start bells ringing*, cry wolf*, tip off*, give the high sign*, put a bug in one's ear*, cry havoc*, read the riot act*. See syn. study at advise.advise.

warn Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • danger: He gives sound advice for Indian workers impersonating Westerners, warning about the dangers of Indian call center staff assuming cultural stereotypes.

Object

  • motorist: There were also no signs, to warn motorists of flooding.
  • sign: Outline actions for each warning sign to avoid heart problems.
  • householder: It is advisable to test houses prior to installation and to warn householders of the possible effect of innocent changes in window opening behavior.
  • driver: A. To warn the driver that the level crossing gates were shut against the railroad Q What building is in the left background?
  • consumer: The labeling on these medicines warning the consumer of potentially sedative effects was also considered.
  • resident: The interesting thing is that there seems to be no requirement to warn nearby residents about this sort of work.

Preposition: against

  • complacency: There was no doubt that Hewitt had achieved a great deal, but Lombard warned against complacency.

Adjective complement

  • soccer: Soccer: Spireites are well warned Soccer: U's put back in the spotlight Soccer: Parkinson - Fun Day is great.. .

Modifying Another Word

  • tho: Support a study, tho warning strongly against making pronouncements on hypothetical GM scenarios.
  • repeatedly: Two young guys on the bus home were repeatedly warned by other passengers not to wander around in my neighborhood.

Infinitive complement

  • beware: Visitors are warned to beware of fake US Dollars, which are printed in Colombia.
  • expect: Often this species takes a considerable time to respond and the group had been warned to expect a long battle!
  • stay: Why was Gracie warned to stay away from him?

Preposition: in

  • advance: As many of us warned in advance, this proved counter-productive.

Preposition: of

  • danger: I warned of the dangers of " one-man rule " .
  • consequence: By stating the above, I was trying to warn of the possible consequences of violating the contract with the cable company.
  • hazard: Alchemical treatises frequently warned of the hazards of working with sulfurous exhalations and volatile chemicals.
  • crisis: The debate took place on the same day as the Archbishop of Canterbury warned of a crisis in modern childhood.
  • risk: Councilors were told of the joys of 24 hour cities and not warned of the risks.
warn Quotes

If Margaret Thatcher wins onThursday, I warn you not to be ordinary,I warnyou not to be young,I warnyou not to fall ill, I warn you not to get old.

—Kinnock, Neil Gordon

Browse dictionary entries near warn

  1. warmth
  2. warmouth
  3. warmonger
  4. warmly
  5. warmish
  6. warming pan
  7. warmhearted
  8. warmed-over
  9. warmblooded
  10. warm-up
  1. warned
  2. warning
  3. warning coloration
  4. warning track
  5. warp
  6. warp beam
  7. warp speed
  8. warpath
  9. warplane
  10. warrant