warn

/wɔrn/

/wɔn/

Other forms: warning; warned; warns

When you warn someone, you advise them to be careful or tell them about a problem or danger. If you perform a dangerous stunt, you should probably warn your audience, "Don't try this at home."

Many traffic signs are meant to warn drivers about hazards, like bridges that get slippery in the rain or bumps in the road. And the purpose of a dog's growl is to warn another dog (or human) that it's stressed or fearful. A warning is a helpful message, no matter what form it comes in, and to warn is to send this message. The Old English root is warnian, "give notice of impending danger."

Definitions of warn

1. verb

   notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
   “The director warned him that he might be fired”

   “The doctor warned me about the dangers of smoking”

   synonyms:

   admonish, discourage, monish

   admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior

   types:

   forewarn, previse

   warn in advance or beforehand; give an early warning

   admonish, caution, monish

   warn strongly; put on guard

   threaten

   utter intentions of injury or punishment against

   alarm, alert

   warn or arouse to a sense of danger or call to a state of preparedness

   offer

   threaten to do something

   wake

   make aware of

   type of:

   inform

   impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
2. verb

   notify, usually in advance
   “I warned you that I would ask some difficult questions”

   type of:

   inform

   impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
3. verb

   admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior
   “I warned him not to go too far”

   “I warn you against false assumptions”

   “She warned him to be quiet”

   synonyms: admonish, discourage, monish

   type of:

   advise, counsel, rede

   give advice to
4. verb

   ask to go away
   “The old man warned the children off his property”

   type of:

   enjoin, order, say, tell

   give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority