How do you use the word "warn" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "warn": Doctors warn us of possible danger. I tried to warn her, but she wouldn't listen.

Warn Meaning

/ˈwɔːn/

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

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

verbTo make (someone) aware of (something impending); especially:, To make (someone) aware of impending danger, evil, etc.

Sentence Examples

Doctors warn us of possible danger.

I tried to warn her, but she wouldn't listen.

I'll run ahead and warn them.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

discourage

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

The lifeguard will ____ swimmers about the dangerous strong currents.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The doctor decided to ____ the patient about the several potential side effects of the new and medical treatment today.

Word Origin & History

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.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"The people had been invited to the funeral, or warnt, by a special messenger a few days before the funeral took place." — 1874, Walter Gregor, An Echo of the Olden Time from the North of Scotland, page 142:

"[...] the plaintiff fraudulently warned the meeting for November 15, giving only five days' notice [...]" — 1889, Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the [State of] Vermont, page 490:

"Hark! the clock is warning ten;" — 1885, Walter Towers, Poems, Songs, and Ballads, page 189:

"No, not a word more, Andrew; the clock has warned for nine, and I am off." — 1885, Emma Marshall, In the East Country with Sir Thomas Browne, page 106:

"The clock warned, and the hands pointed to a few minutes before the hour. The preacher looked towards it. "And, as you sit here," he cried," the Old Year is dragging out its last moments and the New Year is coming up —"" — 1902, Violet Jacob, The Sheep-Stealers, page 399:

Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words