warn

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   notify, usually in advance

   I warned you that I would ask some difficult questions

2. 2
   verb

   ask to go away

   The grumpy neighbor warned the children off the lawn.

3. 3
   verb

   notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

   The director warned them that they might be fired.

4. 4
   verb

   admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior

   I warned them not to go too far.

5. 5
   verb

   To make (someone) aware of (something impending); especially:

   We waved a flag to warn the oncoming traffic about the accident.

6. 6
   verb

   To caution or admonish (someone) against unwise or unacceptable behaviour.

   He was warned against crossing the railway tracks at night.

7. 7
   verb

   To advise or order to go or stay away.

   A sign warns trespassers off/away from the site.

8. 8
   verb

   To give warning.

   then Iames Cephas and Iohn [...] agreed with vs that we shuld preache amonge the Hethen and they amonge the Iewes: warnynge only that we shulde remember the poore.

Etymology

From Middle English warnen, warnien (“to warn; admonish”), from Old English warnian (“to take heed; warn”), from Proto-Germanic *warnōną (“to warn; take heed”), from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to be aware; give heed”). Cognate with Dutch waarnen (obsolete), German Low German warnen, German warnen, Swedish varna, Icelandic varna.