Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

warn

verb [I or T]
 
 
/wɔːn/ US  /wɔːrn/

Definition

B1 to make someone realize a possible danger or problem, especially one in the future: [+ obj + to infinitive ] We were warned not to eat the fish which might give us a slight stomach upset. [+ obj + (that) ] Have you warned them (that) there will be an extra person for dinner? I was warned against/off going to the east coast because it was so full of tourists. There were signs warning of fog as soon as we got onto the motorway. This particular curry is extremely hot - be warned! Put that ball down and come over here, Laura - I'm warning you (= I will punish you if you do not)!Threats and warnings
(Definition of warn verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“warn” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

be under a cloud

to not be trusted or popular because people think you have done something bad

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More