warn
to give notice, advice, or intimation to (a person, group, etc.) of danger, impending evil, possible harm, or anything else unfavorable: They warned him of a plot against him. She was warned that her life was in danger.
to urge or advise to be careful; caution: to warn a careless driver.
to admonish or exhort, as to action or conduct: She warned her employees to be on time.
to notify, advise, or inform: to warn a person of an intended visit.
to give notice to (a person, group, etc.) to go, keep at a distance, etc. (often followed by away, off, etc.): A sign warns trespassers off the grounds. A marker warned boats away from the dock.
to give authoritative or formal notice to (someone); order; summon: to warn a person to appear in court.
to give a warning; caution: to warn of further disasters.
Origin of warn
1synonym study For warn
Other words for warn
Other words from warn
- warner, noun
- pre·warn, verb (used with object)
- re·warn, verb (used with object)
- un·warned, adjective
- well-warned, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use warn in a sentence
Although well warned of what might happen, they obeyed the summons, and presented themselves unattended by armed men.
A History of the Reformation (Vol. 2 of 2) | Thomas M. LindsayThe inhabitants became quiet and were consoled, but did not fail to be very well warned.
Apparently satisfied that the prisoners were well warned, he gave his whole attention to his patient.
The Claim Jumpers | Stewart Edward WhiteWell-warned, therefore, but with the proverbial coeur léger, Oudinot advanced on Rome with 8000 men early on the 30th of April.
The Liberation of Italy | Countess Evelyn Martinengo-CesarescoI had been well warned that this counter-attack would take place at any moment, but I never gave it a single thought.
The Incomparable 29th and the "River Clyde" | George Davidson
British Dictionary definitions for warn
/ (wɔːn) /
to notify or make (someone) aware of danger, harm, etc
(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
(takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to inform (someone) in advance: he warned them that he would arrive late
(tr; usually foll by away, off, etc) to give notice to go away, be off, etc: he warned the trespassers off his ground
Origin of warn
1Derived forms of warn
- warner, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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