warn

2 definitions • 10 examples

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 upset our stomachs.

[ + 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.

The boating area is marked with buoys to warn off swimmers.

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 now, Laura - I'm warning you (= I will punish you if you do not)!

to make someone aware of a possible danger or problem so that it can be avoided:

[ T ] I warned her not to waste her money on that movie.

[ T ] We’d been warned that we should lock our cars in the parking lot.

[ I ] The radio warned all day of the bad weather coming.