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
warner noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, experts have long warned of the potential for a spillover to neighboring countries on NATO’s eastern flank that could force the alliance to respond militarily. Matt Spetalnick, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 In a note earlier this month, Moody’s warned that credit risk in private credit assets was also growing. Jenni Reid,ganesh Rao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025 Coinbase support pages warned that once the Web3 Wallet feature was removed, users would no longer be able to access any assets held within it. Chris Groshong, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 While the Supreme Court has until June to rule, Bessent warned against the court taking too long. Brian Bennett, Time, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for warn

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of warn was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Warn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warn. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

warn

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on warn

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