Forewarn
verb ·2 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 To warn in advance.
"And ſure, although it was invented to eaſe his mynde of griefe, there be a number of caveats therein to forewarne other young gentlemen to foreſtand with good government their folowing yl fortunes; […]"
- 2 warn in advance or beforehand; give an early warning wordnet
Example
More examples"I need to forewarn you: This story is going to be graphic."
Etymology
Early 14th century, from Middle English *forewarnen (suggested by Middle English forewarned, forewarning, forewarner, etc.), from Old English forewarnian (“to take warning beforehand; forewarn”), from Proto-Germanic *furawarnōną (“to forewarn”), equivalent to fore- + warn. Cognate with German vorwarnen (“to forewarn”), Swedish förvarna (“to forewarn”).
Related phrases
More for "forewarn"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.