warning
gb/wˈɔɹnɪŋ/ us/wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
A2
English
figyelmeztetés, előzetes értesítés, előzetes figyelmeztetés, intő példa, figyelmeztető
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
a warning about/against [something]; a warning that [clause]; give/issue a warning
Officials issued a warning about dangerous waves along the coast.
A hatóságok figyelmeztetést adtak ki a part mentén várható veszélyes hullámok miatt.
The label carries a clear warning: Keep out of reach of children.
A címkén egyértelmű figyelmeztetés áll: Gyermekektől elzárva tartandó.
She ignored the warning and clicked the suspicious link anyway.
Learner examples
The sign is a warning to drivers.
A tábla figyelmeztetés az autósoknak.
We heard a warning before the storm.
A vihar előtt hallottunk egy figyelmeztetést.
Common mistake:
Use warning about or warning of for a danger; warning for is less common in this sense.
Meaning
Alert to danger or trouble
Collocations
issue a warning
|give a warning
|heed a warning
|ignore a warning
|storm warning
|flood warning
|safety warning
|health warning
|warning label
|warning siren
Synonyms
alert (often more urgent or immediate)
|
caution (emphasizes advice to be careful)
|
notice (often more official or written)
Antonyms
all-clear (a signal that there is no longer danger)
|
reassurance (information that reduces fear rather than creates caution)
Themes
safety
|communication
|daily_life
|risk
Definition
something that tells you there may be danger or a problem
A spoken or written notice, signal, or sign that tells people about possible danger, trouble, or another problem.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
give [someone] warning; get warning; [amount of time]'s warning; with no warning
The software gives users a ten-minute warning before restarting.
A szoftver tíz perccel az újraindítás előtt figyelmezteti a felhasználókat.
We had very little warning before the evacuation order came.
Nagyon kevés előzetes értesítést kaptunk, mielőtt kiadták a kiürítési utasítást.
Please give me some warning if the meeting time changes.
Learner examples
I need more warning before a big test.
Nagy dolgozat előtt szeretném, ha korábban szólnának.
They gave us no warning about the delay.
Nem kaptunk semmilyen előzetes értesítést a késésről.
Common mistake:
Warning often suggests the event is serious, unwanted, or needs action; notice is more neutral.
Meaning
Advance notice before something
Collocations
advance warning
|prior warning
|early warning
|little warning
|adequate warning
|ten-minute warning
|give someone warning
|receive warning
|with no warning
|at short warning
Synonyms
notice (more neutral and general)
|
heads-up (informal and often friendly)
|
advance notice (more explicit about being before the event)
Antonyms
surprise (something happens with no prior notice)
|
suddenness (emphasizes that there was no time to prepare)
Themes
time
|planning
|communication
Definition
time or notice before something happens
Notice that something, especially something unpleasant or important, will happen before it actually does.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
get/receive/be given a warning; a written/verbal/final warning
He received a written warning for repeatedly arriving late.
Írásbeli figyelmeztetést kapott, mert többször is késett.
The referee gave the player a warning before showing a card.
A játékvezető előbb figyelmeztette a játékost, mielőtt lapot mutatott volna fel.
After the customer complaint, the manager issued a formal warning.
Learner examples
She got a warning at work.
Figyelmeztetést kapott a munkahelyén.
This is your final warning.
Ez az utolsó figyelmeztetésed.
Common mistake:
A warning is usually less severe than an immediate punishment, though it can lead to punishment later.
Meaning
Official caution for wrongdoing
Collocations
verbal warning
|written warning
|official warning
|formal warning
|final warning
|disciplinary warning
|police warning
|receive a warning
|be issued a warning
|warning letter
Synonyms
reprimand (stronger and more formal criticism)
|
caution (often official, especially in legal or police contexts)
|
admonition (formal and less common)
Antonyms
praise (approval rather than criticism)
|
commendation (formal praise for good behavior or work)
Themes
work
|school
|law
|discipline
Definition
an official message saying you did something wrong and must not do it again
A formal or official notice that someone has done something wrong and may be punished if it happens again.
NOUN
B2
4
intő példa
B2
Usage pattern:
serve/act as a warning to [someone]; a warning against [something/doing something]
The failed project is a warning to companies that grow too fast.
A kudarcba fulladt projekt intő példa azoknak a vállalatoknak, amelyek túl gyorsan növekednek.
His injury should be a warning against exercising without proper training.
A sérülése intő példa kellene, hogy legyen arra, miért nem szabad megfelelő felkészülés nélkül edzeni.
The scandal served as a warning that small mistakes can become public very quickly.
Learner examples
The accident was a warning to other drivers.
A baleset intő példa volt a többi sofőr számára.
Her story is a warning about online scams.
A története intő példa az online csalások veszélyeire.
Common mistake:
This use does not always mean someone spoke or wrote a warning; the event itself teaches the lesson.
Meaning
Cautionary example or lesson
Collocations
serve as a warning
|act as a warning
|stark warning
|sobering warning
|clear warning
|warning to others
|warning against complacency
|warning from history
Synonyms
cautionary tale (usually a story or example that teaches a lesson)
|
lesson (broader and not always about danger)
|
reminder (gentler; brings a risk back to mind)
Antonyms
encouragement (pushes someone to act rather than be careful)
|
inspiration (a positive example rather than a cautionary one)
Themes
advice
|risk
|learning
|experience
Definition
an example that shows people what bad thing can happen
A person, event, or experience that shows others what can go wrong and makes them more careful.
B1
5
Usage pattern:
warning [noun]
A red warning light flashed on the dashboard.
Piros figyelmeztető lámpa villogott a műszerfalon.
The dog gave a low warning growl when we came too close.
A kutya mély, figyelmeztető morgást hallatott, amikor túl közel mentünk hozzá.
She shot him a warning look before he said too much.
Learner examples
The car has a warning light.
Az autóban van egy figyelmeztető lámpa.
He gave me a warning look.
Figyelmeztető pillantást vetett rám.
Common mistake:
As an adjective, warning normally comes before a noun: a warning light. The light is warning you uses warning as a verb form of warn.
Meaning
Intended to warn people
Collocations
warning sign
|warning light
|warning signal
|warning label
|warning message
|warning system
|warning look
|warning glance
|warning tone
|warning growl
Synonyms
cautionary (more formal; emphasizes preventing a bad result)
|
alerting (emphasizes getting attention)
|
admonitory (formal; suggests criticism or advice)
Antonyms
reassuring (makes someone feel safe rather than cautious)
|
encouraging (suggests a positive result rather than risk)
Themes
safety
|communication
|risk
Definition
used before a noun to mean that something gives a warning
Serving to warn people about danger, risk, or a possible problem.
Grammar
Dictionary form
warning
IPA
GB/wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
US/wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
warn - ing (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (warn)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: warning
- Plural: warning, warnings
Expressions
a word of warning
1/ə wˈɚd əv wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Brief cautionary advice
a short piece of advice telling someone to be careful
Examples
- A word of warning: the trail gets very steep after the bridge.
- Let me offer a word of warning about buying used phones online.
- Just a word of warning—the restaurant is great, but the portions are huge.
Learner examples
- A word of warning: it is very cold outside.
- I gave him a word of warning.
fair warning
1/fˈɛɹ wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Advance notice of trouble or action
A statement that tells someone something bad may happen soon, so they can prepare.
Examples
- 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
1/fˈɛɹ wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Clear enough advance notice
enough warning so that someone knows what to expect
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- Fair warning: I am not good at singing.
- She gave us fair warning.
spoiler warning
1/spˈɔɪlɚ wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
informal
Notice before revealing plot
a warning that you are going to tell part of a story’s ending or surprise
Examples
- Spoiler warning: the next paragraph discusses the ending of the film.
- Please give a spoiler warning before you talk about the finale.
- The review had a spoiler warning at the top.
Learner examples
- Spoiler warning: I will talk about the ending.
- He forgot the spoiler warning.
trigger warning
1/tɹˈɪɡɚ wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Notice about upsetting content
a note that warns people that something may be very upsetting
Examples
- The article includes a trigger warning for descriptions of violence.
- Some teachers give a trigger warning before discussing traumatic events.
- The video started with a trigger warning about self-harm.
Learner examples
- The film had a trigger warning.
- She added a trigger warning to the post.
trigger warning
3/tɹˈɪɡɚ wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
warning about distressing content
a short message before a text, video, etc. that tells people it includes content that could strongly upset or disturb some of them
Examples
- The article begins with a trigger warning about descriptions of violence.
- Please add a trigger warning before posting stories about self-harm.
- The teacher gave a trigger warning before showing the documentary.
warning bells ring
1/wˈɔɹnɪŋ bˈɛlz ɹˈɪŋ/
idiom
Feel concern or suspicion
to make you feel that something may be wrong
Examples
- Her vague answers made warning bells ring in my head.
- The missing documents set warning bells ringing for the auditors.
- Warning bells should have rung when the seller refused to give a receipt.
Learner examples
- His strange story made warning bells ring.
- That price set warning bells ringing.
warning shot
1/wˈɔɹnɪŋ ʃˈɑt/
fixed phrase
Signal stronger action may follow
an action that warns someone that something more serious may happen next
Examples
- The guards fired a warning shot into the air.
- The lawsuit was a warning shot to other companies using the same technology.
- The coach’s public criticism felt like a warning shot to the whole team.
Learner examples
- The guard fired a warning shot.
- The email was a warning shot.
warning sign
1/wˈɔɹnɪŋ sˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
Indication of possible trouble
something that shows there may be a problem
Examples
- Frequent headaches can be a warning sign of stress.
- Investors saw the drop in sales as a warning sign.
- There were several warning signs that the relationship was unhealthy.
Learner examples
- High fever can be a warning sign.
- This is a warning sign of trouble.
without warning
1/wɪðˈaʊt wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
suddenly; unexpectedly
Happening suddenly and when you do not expect it.
Examples
- The storm came without warning.
- He quit his job without warning.
without warning
1/wɪðˈaʊt wˈɔɹnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
With no advance notice
suddenly, with no chance to prepare
Examples
- The fire alarm went off without warning.
- Without warning, the horse bolted across the field.
- The company changed the schedule without warning.
Learner examples
- The storm came without warning.
- He left without warning.