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

As of Thursday morning, numerous states in the storm's path were affected by other winter weather alerts, including a winter storm warning, winter weather advisory, lake effect snow warning and blizzard warning. —Anna Skinner, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Bipartisan talks started to pick up last month after the Biden administration asked Congress for nearly $100 billion in disaster aid as officials warned of dwindling funds, as well as additional funding recently. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024

Analysts, however, warned that bitcoin remains a highly volatile asset, making it all but impossible to predict where its price will go next. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024

But the safety and efficacy of these medications aren’t guaranteed, experts warned, particularly if they're purchased from a less-than-reputable seller. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 5 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