Definition

Noun: 1. An early warning about a future event: Information or a sign given in advance to alert someone about something that may happen, often something negative or dangerous.

Usage

The word "forewarning" is used to describe a specific instance or piece of information that serves as an advance notice. It is a formal term and is typically used in contexts involving caution, preparation, or prediction of events.

Examples

• The darkening sky was a forewarning of the approaching storm.
• She gave him no forewarning about the sudden change in company policy.
• The report served as a grim forewarning of the economic challenges ahead.

Advanced Usage

• "to have forewarning (of something)": To possess advance knowledge or notice about a specific event.
  • We had sufficient forewarning of the software update to prepare our systems.
• "without (any) forewarning": Used to emphasize that something happened suddenly and without any prior indication.
  • The manager resigned without any forewarning, leaving the team in shock.

Variants and Related Words

• Forewarn (verb): To warn someone in advance.
  • I must forewarn you that the road ahead is very steep.
• Foreknowledge (noun): Knowledge of something before it happens.
  • He acted with the foreknowledge that his plan might fail.

Synonyms

• Advance warning: A warning received ahead of time.
• Premonition: A strong feeling that something is about to happen, especially something unpleasant.
• Omen: An event regarded as a portent of good or evil.

Related Phrases

• A word of forewarning: A phrase used to introduce a cautionary statement.
  • A word of forewarning: the path gets very muddy after it rains.

Noun

1. an early warning about a future event