Definition

1. 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

1. notify, usually in advance
   • I warned you that I would ask some difficult questions
2. ask to go away
   • The old man warned the children off his property
3. 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
4. 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