warn
To tell someone that something bad may happen, so they can be careful or ready.
To inform someone about a possible danger, problem, or unpleasant situation so that they can avoid it or prepare for it.
To tell someone they should not do something because it may be bad for them.
To strongly recommend that someone should not do something because it could cause harm or problems.
- Base: warn
- 3rd Person Singular: warns
- Present Participle: warning
- Past: warned
fair warning
1Advance notice of trouble or action
A statement that tells someone something bad may happen soon, so they can prepare.
- Just as a fair warning, the boss is in a bad mood today.
- Consider this your fair warning before I take further action.
fair warning
1Clear enough advance notice
enough warning so that someone knows what to expect
- I gave you fair warning that the deadline would not move.
- Fair warning: the sauce is much hotter than it looks.
- The landlord must give tenants fair warning before entering the apartment.
- Fair warning: I am not good at singing.
- She gave us fair warning.
warn against
1Advise not to do something risky
To tell someone they should not do something because it could be bad or dangerous.
- Experts warn against eating too much processed food.
- The guide warned against hiking alone at night.
warn off
1Tell someone to stay away
To tell someone they must not go near something or do something because it could be dangerous or cause problems.
- The farmer warned off trespassers from his land.
- Security guards warned off the protesters before they reached the gate.