WARN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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warn

[ wawrn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

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.
Synonyms:
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.

verb (used without object)

to give a warning; caution:
to warn of further disasters.

warn

/ ��ɔː�� /

verb

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

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Derived Forms

ˈ�ɲ��Ա��, noun

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

�ɲ��İ� noun
��·�ɲ�� verb (used with object)
��·�ɲ�� verb (used with object)
�ܲ�·�ɲ��Ա�� adjective
�ɱ��-�ɲ��Ա�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of warn¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English warnen, Old English warnian; cognate with German warnen; ware ²

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of warn¹

Old English wearnian; related to Old High German �ɲ��ŧ��, Old Norse varna to refuse

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Synonym Study

Warn, caution, admonish imply attempting to prevent another from running into danger or getting into unpleasant or undesirable circumstances. To warn is to speak plainly and usually in strong terms: to warn him about danger and possible penalties. To caution is to advise about necessary precautions, to put one on one's guard about possibly harmful circumstances or conditions, thus emphasizing avoidance of undesirable consequences: to caution him against driving in such weather. Admonish suggests giving earnest, authoritative advice with only tacit references to danger or penalty: to admonish a person for neglecting his duties.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Police have advised residents in the surrounding area to stay at home, and warned people not to pick up hitchhikers, local media report.

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Helicopters were deployed to help battle back the flames while police warned the blaze could spread to the Loch Doon area of East Ayrshire.

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The blaze came after the National Hazards Partnership issued an amber wildfire warning this weekend, highlighting the likelihood of fires that could be difficult to control.

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Campaigner Esther Ghey has told the BBC she is "frustrated" at the government's approach to online safety, warning that "young people are losing their lives".

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"These beauty enhancements are fashionable, but they can also cause problems - like alopecia or scalp infections," she warned.

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