warn

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To tell someone about a possible danger or problem so they can avoid it.

   The director warned them that they might be fired.

2. 2
   verb

   To strongly advise someone not to do something.

   I warned them not to go too far.

3. 3
   verb

   To tell someone in advance that something is going to happen.

   I warned you that I would ask some difficult questions.

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.

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