warn

verb \ ˈwȯrn \

|Updated on: 2 Aug 2018

Examples: warn in a Sentence

Definition of warn

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

See warn defined for English-language learners

See warn defined for kids

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 of warn from the Web

The American Academy of Pediatrics has warned against backyard zipline kits, which have been recalled in the past.

— megan friedman, Popular Mechanics, "Honeymooning Couple in Fatal Ziplining Accident," 10 July 2018
Poway safety officials are warning hikers to be careful as summer temperatures begin to climb.

— Pomerado News, "Poway officials warn hikers as temperatures rise," 6 July 2018
Getty ImagesHelena Sprengers / EyeEm Fish pedicures may be a fun way to exfoliate rough heels, but experts are now warning that the procedure may pose an infection risk.

— temi adebowale, Marie Claire, "A Woman's Toenails Fell Off After a Fish Pedicure," 3 July 2018
The National Weather Service has parts of the Fox River under a flood warning through the early hours of Monday.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "Fox River, neighborhood flooding reported in and around Elgin," 27 June 2018
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning from 10:45 a.m. Tuesday through 1 p.m. Saturday, when a flooding forecast changed from minor to moderate severity at Algonquin, which impacts the Fox River communities downstream.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "Rain keeps Fox River towns on alert," 26 June 2018
According to Page Six, Jon warned Pete about getting more girlfriend tattoos before things between them become more permanent.

— tamara fuentes, Seventeen, "Pete Davidson Was Warned By His Tattoo Artist About Ariana Grande," 26 June 2018
Pedestrian deaths have hit a three-decade high in the U.S., prompting some cities to mount campaigns warning walkers to put down their phones and pay more attention.

— alissa walker, Curbed, "Why the ‘distracted pedestrian’ is a myth," 21 June 2018
Just under a month ago, we were warned that giant hogweed, a plant that can cause third-degree burns or even blindness, was cropping up across Virginia; now, 17-year-old Alex Childress has accidentally come into contact with the plant.

— caitlin wolper, Teen Vogue, "Virginia Teen Gets 3rd Degree Burns From Rare Weed," 14 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'warn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of warn

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 ¹ware

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year