warn

verb

ˈwȯrn 

warned; warning; warns

transitive verb

1

a

: to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or evil

b

: to give admonishing advice to : counsel

c

: to call to one's attention : inform

2

: to order to go or stay away

—often used with off

intransitive verb

: to give a warning

warner noun

Synonyms

• alert
• advise

Examples of warn in a Sentence

I had been warned about the difficulties of the job.

She warned me that the stove was still hot.

“This won't be easy,” he warned.

Nobody warned me about the dangers.

I warned him to be careful, but he didn't listen to me.

She warned us not to go too close to the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web

In effect, farmers in rural America have warned of an impending economic crisis from the compounding factors of losing their top export market, falling crop prices and high costs. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025

Rubalcava, on the other hand, warned the city can’t rely on taxing hotel beds. —Victoria Le, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025

While striped skunk is edible, Coalition Brewing warns against its strong odor, scavenger diet and susceptibility to parasites. —Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

As deer season heats up, experts are warning Tennesseans about the risks of feeding the animals. —Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English warnen, going back to Old English wearnian, warnian "to be on one's guard, make aware, put on one's guard," going back to West Germanic *warnōjan- (whence Middle Dutch waernen "to provide with, give notice of a danger," Old High German warnōn), probably causative derivative of Germanic *wara- "cognizant, watchful" — more at ware entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing warn

• I have to warn you
• pre-warn
• warn off

Rhymes for warn

• borne
• bourn
• bourne
• corn
• morn
• mourn
• porn
• scorn
• shorn
• sworn
• thorn
• torn

Kids Definition

warn

verb

ˈwȯ(ə)rn 

1

a

: to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or evil

b

: to give advice to : counsel

2

: to order to go or stay away

warned us off their land

warner noun