warn

verb

ˈwȯrn 

warned; warning; warns

transitive verb

1

a

: to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or evil

b

: to give admonishing advice to : counsel

c

: to call to one's attention : inform

2

: to order to go or stay away

—often used with off

intransitive verb

: to give a warning

warner noun

Synonyms

• advise
• alert
• caution
• forewarn
• wake

Examples of warn in a Sentence

I had been warned about the difficulties of the job.

She warned me that the stove was still hot.

“This won't be easy,” he warned.

Nobody warned me about the dangers.

I warned him to be careful, but he didn't listen to me.

She warned us not to go too close to the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web

The California Attorney General's Office warns that firearms should be stored in a locked container and locked with a firearms safety device. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

Security researchers from Microsoft and Recorded Future both warned last year that North Korean hackers updated their tactics to include posing as venture capitalists and investment bankers. —Iain Martin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

In tracking down old lovers to warn them of their likely demise, Ruby is on a journey similar to that of Dylan (Johnny Flynn), who has to inform his many past partners of his chlamydia diagnosis, in the British rom-com Lovesick. —Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024

The accreditor previously put Olivet on probation in 2020 and placed the university under warning in 2022 until earlier this year. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English warnen, going back to Old English wearnian, warnian "to be on one's guard, make aware, put on one's guard," going back to West Germanic *warnōjan- (whence Middle Dutch waernen "to provide with, give notice of a danger," Old High German warnōn), probably causative derivative of Germanic *wara- "cognizant, watchful" — more at ware entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing warn

• I have to warn you
• pre-warn
• warn off

Kids Definition

warn

verb

ˈwȯ(ə)rn 

1

a

: to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or evil

b

: to give advice to : counsel

2

: to order to go or stay away

warned us off their land

warner noun