warning
C1Neutral (used across all registers from formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
A statement or event that alerts of possible danger, harm, or an unfavorable consequence.
An advance notice or indication that something may happen, a cautionary message, or an official notice of an infringement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Denotes both the act of advising caution and the information/content of that advice. Can be a count or non-count noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. UK English might slightly favour 'give a warning', while US English might equally use 'issue a warning'. Colloquial UK usage may include "yellow card warning" (sports) more frequently.
Connotations
Equally serious in both varieties. No significant difference.
Frequency
Comparably high and frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
give [sb] a warningissue a warning [about/against/of sth]a warning that...a warning [from sb]a warning [to sb]without warningon/at a moment's warningserve as a warningVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a word to the wise is enough (serves as a warning)”
- “a warning shot across the bows”
- “to do something at a moment's warning”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A formal notice given to an employee about unsatisfactory performance or conduct, often part of a disciplinary procedure.
Academic
A statement in research highlighting limitations or potential risks; e.g., 'The author includes a warning about generalising the results.'
Everyday
Used to alert someone to immediate physical danger or to advise against a potentially bad decision.
Technical
A message generated by a system or software indicating a potential problem or error that does not halt operation (cf. 'error').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The verb form is 'to warn'. The company will warn employees about the changes.
- He warned us that the path was treacherous.
American English
- The verb form is 'to warn'. The app warns you if your password is weak.
- I warned them not to go out in the storm.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. The related adverb is 'warningly', as in 'He said warningly, "Be careful."'
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. The related adverb is 'warningly', as in 'She shook her head warningly.'
adjective
British English
- The warning light on the dashboard started flashing.
- She gave him a warning glance.
American English
- The software displayed a warning message.
- He shot a warning look across the room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher gave him a warning for talking.
- Look at the warning sign.
- The government issued a severe weather warning.
- I'm giving you a final warning about your behaviour.
- The study serves as a stark warning about the effects of climate change.
- He left without any warning, which was very upsetting.
- The ambassador's remarks were construed as a tacit warning against military intervention.
- The algorithm's false positives triggered numerous unnecessary warnings.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a car's horn going 'WAH-WAH-WAH-RNING!' to warn you.
Conceptual Metaphor
WARNING IS A SHIELD (it protects you from harm). WARNING IS A SIGNPOST (it points out danger ahead).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'предупреждение' as 'pre-warning' – 'warning' is sufficient.
- Do not confuse 'warning' (предупреждение, предостережение) with 'threat' (угроза).
- Note the phrase 'without warning' translates as 'без предупреждения', not 'без варнинга'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'warning' as a verb (the verb is 'to warn').
- Spelling: 'warining' (incorrect).
- Confusing 'warning' (n.) with 'caution' (n.) which can be more general.
- Using 'warning' for a simple reminder or note ('note' might be better).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, a 'written warning' is typically:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Warning' typically implies a more serious or immediate danger, while 'caution' can be more general advice to be careful. A 'warning' is stronger.
No. The noun is 'warning'. The verb form is 'to warn' (e.g., I warn you, he warned us).
It means sufficient or reasonable advance notice given before something happens, allowing time to prepare or avoid it.
It is considered redundant and non-standard by most style guides. 'Warning' already implies advance notice, so use 'warning' or 'advance warning' instead.