warn
/wɔ:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To inform someone in advance about a possible danger, problem, or unpleasant situation: To give notice or advice so that someone can be prepared or avoid something negative.
- To strongly advise someone to do or not to do something: To counsel or admonish someone regarding their behavior or a course of action.
- To tell someone to go away or to keep away from something: To give a caution to leave a place or stop an activity.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- The weather service warned residents of the approaching hurricane.
- I must warn you that the road ahead is very icy.
- The sign warns people not to swim here because of strong currents.
- She warned her brother against trusting strangers online.
Advanced Usage
- "to warn someone off": to tell someone forcefully to go away or to keep away from a place or person.
- The farmer warned the hikers off his private land.
- "to warn against": to advise someone not to do something because it is dangerous or a bad idea.
- Financial advisors often warn against making impulsive investments.
Variants and Related Words
- Warner (noun): A person or thing that warns.
- The smoke detector is an essential fire warner.
- Warning (noun): A statement or event that indicates a possible or impending danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation.
- He ignored all the warnings and went out in the storm.
- Forewarn (verb): To warn someone of a danger or problem before it happens.
- To forewarn is to forearm.
Synonyms
- Alert: To warn someone of a immediate danger or problem.
- Caution: To advise someone to be careful.
- Admonish: To warn or reprimand someone firmly, often about their behavior.
- Notify: To inform someone of something, typically in a formal or official manner.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Warn off: To tell someone to stay away, often to avoid danger or trouble.
- The guard dog's barking was enough to warn off any intruders.
- Warn about: To give information concerning a specific danger or problem.
- The manual warns about the risks of improper use.
Related Idioms
- A word to the wise (is enough): A phrase implying that a hint or brief warning is sufficient for an intelligent person.
- I'll just say it's not a good investment—a word to the wise.
- Sound the alarm: To give a warning about a serious problem or danger.
- Scientists continue to sound the alarm about climate change.
Verb
- notify, usually in advance
- I warned you that I would ask some difficult questions
- ask to go away
- The old man warned the children off his property
- admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior
- I warned him not to go too far
- I warn you against false assumptions
- She warned him to be quiet
- notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
- The director warned him that he might be fired
- The doctor warned me about the dangers of smoking