warn[verb]Synonyms: notify, advise, alert, apprise, caution, forewarn, give notice, inform, make (someone) aware, tip off
Related Idioms: address a warning to, give warning, put a flea in one's ear, put one on guard
Related Words: advise,
alert,
apprise,
inform,
notify,
tip,
counsel,
direct,
guide
English Thesaurus: warn, give somebody a warning, alert, tip somebody off, caution, ... [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
warn S3 W2 /wɔːn $ wɔːrn/
verb [intransitive and transitive][
Language: Old English;
Origin: warnian]
1. to tell someone that something bad or dangerous may happen, so that they can avoid it or prevent it:
‘Be careful, the rocks are slippery,’ Alex warned.warn somebody about something Travellers to Africa are being warned about the danger of HIV infection.warn (somebody) of something Salmon farmers are warning of the severe crisis facing the industry.warn somebody (not) to do something I warned you not to walk home alone. Motorists are being warned to avoid the centre of London this weekend.warn somebody (that) We warned them that there was a bull in the field.2. to tell someone about something before it happens so that they are not worried or surprised by it
warn somebody (that) Warn her you’re going to be back late.
REGISTERIn everyday English, people often use the expression
let someone
know rather than
warn someone:
Let me know if you’re not going to finish on time. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
warn to tell someone about something bad or dangerous that might happen, so that they can avoid it or prevent it:
I warned you about sitting out in the sun too long. We were warned that there could be delays on the motorway, so we took another route.give somebody a warning to tell someone that if they continue to behave in an unsatisfactory way, they will be punished:
He’s already been given several warnings about handing in his essays late. The US gave a warning that if the hostages were not released, it would be forced to take military action.alert to officially or publicly warn people of possible danger so that they can prevent it or be ready to deal with it:
a campaign to alert people to the dangers of smoking An anonymous caller alerted the police that a bomb was due to go off.tip somebody off informal to secretly warn someone about something that is going to happen – used especially about warning the police about a crime:
The police found the drugs after being tipped off by local residents. Informants tipped the FBI off.caution formal to warn someone to do or not to do something in order to avoid a dangerous or bad result:
People are being cautioned against using credit cards abroad, in case of fraud. Health officials have cautioned the public to wash fruit thoroughly before eating it.forewarn /fɔːˈwɔːn $ fɔːrˈwɔːrn/
[usually passive] formal to warn someone about something that is going to happen, so that you are expecting it or ready for it:
We had been forewarned that the roads weren’t very good.warning something that you say or do to tell people about danger, or to tell them not to do something:
All cigarette packets carry a government health warning. She ignored her parents' warnings. The army issued a warning that anyone who was out on the streets after dark was likely to be shot.tip-off informal a warning that someone is about to do something, especially one given to the police about a crime:
Police were called to the hotel after a tip-off.advisory formal an official warning or notice that gives information about a dangerous situation:
The air pollution gets so bad on some days that health advisories are posted at park entrances.caveat formal a warning that something may not be completely true, effective etc. Also used when pointing out that it is important to remember something:
The woman was offered treatment, but with the caveat that it had only a 30% chance of success. One caveat is that you must take the goods back to the shop within 14 days. There is one important caveat to this argument. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲