warnverb [ I or T ]
uk/wɔːn/us/wɔːrn/B1 to make someone realize a possible danger or problem, especially one in the future:
[ + obj + to infinitive ] We were warned not to eat the fish which might upset our stomachs.
[ + obj + (that) ] Have you warned them (that) there will be an extra person for dinner?
I was warned against/off going to the east coast because it was so full of tourists.
The boating area is marked with buoys to warn off swimmers.
There were signs warning of fog as soon as we got onto the motorway.
This particular curry is extremely hot - be warned!
Put that ball down now, Laura - I'm warning you (= I will punish you if you do not)!
More examples
- I have to warn you that there's a degree of danger involved in this.
- My sister warned me not to trust him.
- I'm warning you, don't mess about with those tools.
- The leaflet warns children about the dangers of smoking.
- My mother always warned me not to talk to strangers.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Threats & warnings
- (I) told you (so)! idiom
- (just) you wait idiom
- bell
- cautionary tale
- do you want to make something/anything of it? idiom
- early warning system
- emergency cord
- fire a (warning) shot across sb's bow idiom
- forewarn
- heads-up
- notice
- ring/sound alarm bells idiom
- siren
- slap
- sound
- tip
- ultimatum
- wake-up call
- warning
- warning/alarm bells start to ring/sound idiom
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