How to pronounce warn
Say it like WORN. Warn is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- WORN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Warn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WORNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of warn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WAWN.
What does warn mean?
- To make (someone) aware of impending danger, evil, etc.“We waved a flag to warn the oncoming traffic about the accident.”
- To notify or inform (someone, about something).“I warned him he'd be getting a huge box of birthday presents from me.”
- To summon (someone) to or inform of a formal meeting or duty.
Where does warn come from?
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”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- foretoken
- discourage
- admonish
- monish
Words that rhyme with warn
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of warn.
Words that sound like warn
- worn
- warne
Questions about saying warn
How do you pronounce warn?
Say WORN. The American pronunciation is /wɔrn/. In British English it is /wɔːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in warn?
Warn is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: WORN.
Is warn pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /wɔːn/ (WAWN).
What words sound the same as warn?
Warn sounds the same as worn, warne in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.