Definition of 'warn'

Word Frequency

warn

(wɔːʳn )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense warns , present participle warning , past tense, past participle warned

1. verb

If you warn someone about something such as a possible danger or problem, you tell them about it so that they are aware of it.

When I had my first baby, friends warned me that children were expensive. [VERB noun that]

They warned him of the dangers of sailing alone. [V n + of/about]

Analysts warned that Europe's most powerful economy may be facing trouble. [VERB that]

He also warned of a possible anti-Western backlash. [VERB + of]

Synonyms: notify, tell, remind, inform More Synonyms of warn

2. verb

If you warn someone not to do something, you advise them not to do it so that they can avoid possible danger or punishment.

Mrs. Blount warned me not to interfere. [VERB noun to-infinitive]

Children must be warned to stay away from main roads. [VERB noun to-infinitive]

'Don't do anything yet,' he warned. 'Too risky.' [VERB with quote]

'Keep quiet, or they'll all come out,' they warned him. [VERB noun with quote]

I wish I'd listened to the people who warned me against having the operation. [VERB noun + against]

Mr Lowe warned against complacency. [Vagainst n/-ing]

Synonyms: advise, urge, recommend, counsel More Synonyms of warn

See be warned

Phrasal verbs:

See warn away

See warn off

Video: pronunciation of
warn

warn in British English

(wɔːn )

verb

to notify or make (someone) aware of danger, harm, etc

2. (tr; often takes a negative and an infinitive)

to advise or admonish (someone) as to action, conduct, etc

I warn you not to do that again

3. (takes a clause as object or an infinitive)

to inform (someone) in advance

he warned them that he would arrive late

4. (tr; usually foll by away, off, etc)

to give notice to go away, be off, etc

he warned the trespassers off his ground

Derived forms

warner (ˈwarner)

noun

Word origin

Old English wearnian; related to Old High German warnēn, Old Norse varna to refuse

Word Frequency

warn in American English

(wɔrn )

verb transitive

to tell (a person) of a danger, coming evil, misfortune, etc.; put on guard; caution

to caution about certain acts; admonish

warned against smoking in the building

to notify in advance; inform

to give notice to (a person) to stay or keep (off, away, etc.)

verb intransitive

to give warning

SIMILAR WORDS: adˈvise

Derived forms

warner (ˈwarner)

noun

Word origin

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

Example sentences including
warn

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The following month he warned again about the economic damage that reliance on wind power would do.The funeral firm blamed the hospital for not warning the pair about the cost.She warns against the dangers of sending out mixed signals.It is more likely he will be given just a ticking off and warned about his conduct. Councils across the country have warned of its dangers.He took his players aside to warn them about it yesterday.But he warned with any action 'we have to be more realistic in what is deliverable'.The action will include warning patients and doctors of the risks of misuse, improving surveillance of the problem and reducing the concentrations of antibiotics used in agriculture.You are warned time and again you could jeopardise the case. Teachers are obviously not warning pupils about the dangers properly.