warn

Definition

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

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.

Example Sentences

• "We waved a flag to warn the oncoming traffic about the accident."
• "I phoned to warn him of the road closure."
• "I warned him he'd be getting a huge box of birthday presents from me."