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
warner noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The first of two back-to-back atmospheric rivers will spread rain across San Diego County from Wednesday afternoon to early Thursday, before a second wave follows Thursday night, says the National Weather Service, which also warned of possible lightning west of the mountains. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 Experts warn prices for many grocery store items will rise as a result. Danny Freeman, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025 Before the address started, the House Freedom Caucus posted on X warning Democrats they would be censured if there were any disruptive actions made. Lauren Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025 Big box retailers have already warned of price hikes on household goods and grocery items imported from the two nations–much to the detriment of working families, small businesses, and the many already suffering under heavy inflationary pressure. Richard Fowler, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for warn

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of warn was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Warn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warn. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

warn

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on warn

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